Documents obtained by solicitor Fearghal Shiels from the Ministry of Defence provide details of a total of 13 soldiers involved in the Doherty and Fleming ambush. Former SAS soldier Ken Connor, states that he was part of a three man team sent to assess the Military Reaction Force in 1972, which he refers to as the Military Reconnaissance Force (the cover name given to it by the British), in the wake of the Four Square Laundry episode, when the initials MRF became known. A BRITISH army officer suspected of being involved in the operation which led to the deaths of Daniel Doherty and William Fleming is also thought to have had a role in a second ambush that saw three IRA men killed. He explained that while serving in the north he never fired any shots because the methods republicans, and in particular the IRA, were using ensured "there was never an opportunity to engage".

Soldier had role in 16 fatal Troubles shootings - Madden

The MoD is seeking public interest immunity certificates in relation to the inquest. If they are granted the MoD cannot be forced to reveal which army unit was responsible. For those concealing potential, a trip to a derelict WWII camp somewhere in the English countryside known as Camp One came next. Eight weeks of punishing and abnormal activities followed. (Women, initially, went through a different Camp One but this, despite ‘fraternisation’ concerns, changed to make courses more realistic.) I listened to their stories and I think (it) touched with the compassion that I have always had that had perhaps become hidden because of my experiences in the army," he said. Daniel Doherty (23) and William Fleming (19) were killed as they travelled through the grounds of Derry’s Gransha Hospital on a motorbike in December 1984.Falconer, Duncan (2001). First into Action: Dramatic Personal Account of Life Inside the SBS. London: Warner. ISBN 9780751531657.

Special Reconnaissance Regiment

The SAS's controversial involvement in the Northern Ireland Troubles began in 1973 and mostly took the form of small teams/individuals advising regular units. Candidates went through repeated psychological assessments. To gauge their psyche, the DS asked strange questions such as “Cats or dogs? Plumber or waiter? Satisfaction or happiness? Would you deceive a friend?” The initial role of the squadron is surveillance and intelligence gathering, usually by way of foot patrols and covert observation positions (OPs). As with the counter-terrorist role, A,B,D & G squadrons would subsequently rotate in and out of Northern Ireland deployment on a 4-6 month schedule. But I think that was my experience for years and it wasn't until I went across to America actually and spent some time with Vietnam veterans and priests actually, who had been in Vietnam and then had been ordained, that I was able to talk about this stuff amongst people that completely understood it."Functioning as a rankless meritocracy (as far as one of these can exist in a military), initiative, intelligence, and independent thinking were highly sought after traits in recruits. In the book he claims he arranged to meet a Sinn Féin member in Cork with a view to joining the IRA but later “bottled” it and failed to show up for the meeting. Cahill’s role as a key British agent was known to only a small handful of individuals. But a senior IRA source revealed that there was suspicion that he was a “tout” – slang for informer.

The 14 Intelligence Company: Covert surveillance in - SOFREP

Unarmed combat was taught to Det operatives, particularly techniques to disarm and neutralise knife or gun-weilding assailants. In a separate case, Mairia Cahill last week waived her right to anonymity to speak out against alleged sexual abuse she suffered as a 16-year-old over a year in 1997 at the hands of another senior IRA figure.After spending time in Wales and Sierra Leon he asked to be posted to the north as a communications technician with a section of the unit known as ‘North Det’.

14th INTELL - Maughan, Robert | Special Forces Roll Of Honour 14th INTELL - Maughan, Robert | Special Forces Roll Of Honour

The 14 Int, as it was more commonly known, emerged in 1972 following the need for effective covert surveillance on both Catholic IRA and Protestant loyalist terrorists in Northern Ireland. The “Troubles” between the two communities were fuming. And the British army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) were trying their best, but falling short.Little is publicly known about the SRR's size or structure. Recent press reports have put the regiment at company size - around 150 operatives. The SRR is believed to be based alongside the SAS at RHQ Credenhill, near Hereford. In documents obtained from the MoD by Fearghal Shiels, of Madden and Finucane Solicitors, each soldier has been identified only by a single letter of the alphabet. In October 2015, Dennis’ brother Séamas wrote to the Chief Constable George Hamilton asking for the release of a review of the finding of the autopsy carried out by an independent pathologist at the request of HET. His request was denied on the grounds that: He has already been named and if that name is accurate clearly this soldier is in the public domain and doesn’t require his anonymity to be preserved,” he said.