Dissident’s whereabouts are shrouded in mystery
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Mystery surrounds the current whereabouts of Antrim man Paddy Murray.
THE wife of a former IRA prisoner who has reportedly been released early from prison to begin a new life with a secret identity in England has once again dismissed claims that her husband was a 'secret agent'.
Antrim man Paddy Murray was a trusted and feared figure in the republican community and an unapologetic critic of the peace process which forged the power-sharing Executive at Stormont.
Once an active member of the Provos' war machine, the local man was jailed for 25 years in 1994 after a botched attempt to bomb petrol tanks at Belfast City Airport.
On his release, ironically under the Good Friday Agreement, he worked with Sinn Fein - quickly rising through the ranks to become their chairman in Antrim.
That relationship was soon tested, however, after a series of all too public disputes with Martin Meehan, though the Party tried to 'paper over the cracks' - a process led by Denis Donaldson, who was himself murdered by his former comrades when it emerged that he had been working for British Intelligence.
The frosty relationship between Murray and Sinn Fein soon broke down irreparably, with the chair of Rathenraw Community Association quite publicly voicing support for the 'dissidents' who were openly critical of the political path.
At around the same time the first reports appeared claiming that he was a Special Branch agent, who had been spying on key figures for his handlers.
Murray, for his part, fiercely rejected any suggestion that the 'poacher had turned gamekeeper' - but still the stories persisted.
The breaking point came when he was charged with the kidnapping of Antrim man Kevin Gillen in September 2005. Along with brothers David and Brian McAllister, he was sentenced to four years in prison back in February this year.
It has since been claimed, however, that Mr Murray has already been spirited out of HMP Maghaberry to begin a new life in England.
This shocking revelation was backed up by the Northern Ireland Prison Service who confirmed that he is no longer under lock and key.
But this came as a 'bolt from the blue' to Murray's wife Patricia who is adamant that she will stand by her man until his release in November 2009.
She has also dismissed speculation that he was freed seven weeks ago, telling the Antrim Guardian that she visited her husband last Monday - and intended to go again this week.
“Unless they are helicoptering him in and out on visiting days, I know for a fact that he's still in Maghaberry. I've seen him with my own eyes," she said.
“I've told him about the crazy claims and he's laughed it off - but deep down I think he's worried. I think he's concerned that it leaves me and the kids in a vulnerable position.
