The Padre cover art

The Padre

The True Story of the Irish Priest Who Armed the IRA with Gaddafi's Money

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The Padre

By: Jennifer O'Leary
Narrated by: Jennifer O’Leary
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About this listen

Today, Tipperary-born priest Patrick Ryan cuts a modest but strong figure, to the layperson. A man of God who has been entrusted with the confessions of hundreds of earnest parishioners. But in fact his story is dark, dramatic, and pivotal to Irish history, on both sides of the border.

In The Padre, award-winning investigative journalist Jennifer O'Leary exposes the paramilitary exploits of notorious former Catholic priest and active IRA supporter Patrick Ryan–exposing details which have, outside of his very guarded circles, been unknown until now.

Drawing on highly sensitive information, divulged by Ryan during exclusive secret meetings with the author, The Padre lifts the lid on the true extent of the priest's involvement with the IRA: from being the link between the organisation and the Gaddafi regime, to Ryan's connection to the failed assassination attempt on Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet.

The Padre tells the truly remarkably story of this man of the cloth, and his lifelong struggle with what he, in his heart, believes to be right and wrong.

©2023 Jennifer O'Leary (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd Murder True Crime Crime

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All stars
Most relevant
Very good listen especially the fact that a priest becomes involved with the ira. Mind we had priests from all over during ww2 helping resistance against nazi germany. So no different if is belief that Britain was his enemy

Unusual and yet true

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Excellent book! Father Ryan is a legend, his sacrifice should never be forgotten! Erin gu bragh

Legend

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Ok let’s start by saying the tale here was riveting and appalling in equal measure. Such a lack of moral compass in the subject, it beggars belief. Paddy Ryan comes across as a bright and intelligent man, with a great handle on reading people, also completely deluded and oblivious to the lives he ruined. His family’s inability to criticise him and their active support for his crimes was staggering.
This should have been a ghostwritten autobiography. It was told as a third person bio yet detailed his inner thoughts and minute observations. It jarred for that reason and if I hadn’t grown up in the time this happened I would have abandoned it.
The audio narration was poor - robotic, words mispronounced and speed and pacing all wrong - not fixed by speed adjustments in settings. Reading it would have been just as frustrating style and content wise but at least the narration issue would be gone.
That said I think anyone who lived in Ireland in the ‘troubles’ should read it. If only to see why we can’t ever go back.

Gripping underlying story but the telling of it a struggle!

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i really liked it, so interesting and relatable. Thank you. Alot of generally unknown stories and events in it. I went through it very fast it was so interesting and exciting.

Brillant

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interested in time period and how the whole conflict played out, hard to believe all that went on. the term IRA could have been used less seemed like every sentence had it in it, repetitive.

real life

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