The Accidental Spy

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The Accidental Spy

By: Sean O'Driscoll

Narrated by: Gerry O'Brien

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About this listen

The gripping real story of the ordinary American man who found himself at the centre of a deadly terrorist organisation - and working for both MI5 and the FBI.

A bored trucker from New York took a holiday to Ireland with his new girlfriend and brought down the IRA.

Just a quick Google search reveals the level of interest across Britain, Ireland and the US into exactly how this ordinary blue collar worker found himself at the centre of an espionage ring.

David Rupert, a complete outsider with no connection to Ireland, rose to the very top of the Real IRA, all while working for the FBI and British intelligence. But the story is really about just how a bored, frustrated New York trucking manager becomes one of Britain’s most valued spies, brings down the entire IRA structure and makes $10 million in the process.

Along the way he finds himself in the most extraordinary and terrifying situations - is involved in major terrorist operations, sets up an Iraqi sting operation and is organising US arms shipments with a man being trained to kill the then British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Sean O'DriscollGerry O'BrienMirror Books

Espionage

Politicians

Politics & Activism

True Crime

Middle East

Exciting

Scary

Iran

New York

Espionage Politicians Politics & Activism True Crime Middle East Exciting Scary Iran New York

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Critic reviews

"I hope I have done justice to David's complex personality and the most extraordinary story I have come across in 20 years of journalism. I hope it answers many unanswered questions and raises some uncomfortable questions for security forces in the US, Ireland and the UK. Most of all, I hope it helps explain the combination of injury, rage and ego that fuels international terrorism and the quiet patience it takes to bring it to an end." (Sean O'Driscoll, journalist and Northern Irish correspondent for The Times)

Most relevant

Well written, in a journalistic rather than novelistic style. That style is appropriate for this story, as it is so recent and it's useful to show what sources were used. Interesting depictions of the people.

And the content is interesting, but the overall context is gripping: what can calm and defuse decades of partisan fury? This story focuses on the role of the legal systems of the three governments involved (UK, Ireland, and the US), but it points at the political and diplomatic work behind the Good Friday agreements and changes in public opinion (on both sides of the Atlantic) as well.