The Dirty War

by Martin Dillon

1969 was a year of rising tension, violence and change for the people of Northern Ireland. Rioting in Derry's Bogside led to the deployment of British troops and a shortlived, uneasy truce. The British army soon found itself engaged in an undercover war against the Provisional IRA, which was to last for more than twenty years. In this enthralling and controversial book, Martin Dillon, author of the bestselling The Shankill Butchers, examines the roles played by the Provisional IRA, the State forces, the Irish Government and the British Army during this troubled period. He unravels the mystery of war in which informers, agents and double agents operate, revealing disturbing facts about the way in which the terrorists and the Intelligence Agencies target, undermine and penetrate each other's ranks. The Dirty War is investigative reporting at its very best, containing startling disclosures and throwing new light on previously inexplicable events.

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction, Politics, Military History, War, Irish Literature

544 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Martin Dillon has won international acclaim for his unique, investigative works on the Ireland conflict. Dr. Conor Cruise O’Brien, the renowned historian and scholar, described him as “our Virgil to that inferno.” The Irish Times hailed him as one of the most creative writers of our time and the Guardian compared him to John Le Carrie and Len Deighton. Martin Dillon’s trilogy, The Shankill Butchers, The Dirty War & God and the Gun, sold over a quarter of a million copies in the British Isles. His twelve non-fiction works are considered definitive accounts of the conflict. He began his distinguished career as a newspaper reporter and later became a programme editor with the BBC and a writer/producer with its award winning Timewatch. Throughout his BBC career he campaigned against its flawed interpretations of what constituted balance. He has been a terrorism expert for news outlets in Europe and North America. His play The Squad was one of the first about The Troubles and was produced on BBC radio and television by the late Ronald Mason, the esteemed Head of BBC Radio Three Drama. Dillon’s books include The Enemy Within, an account of the IRA’s terror campaigns in Britain, starting at the outbreak of World War II. Stone Cold was a portrait of a natural born killer and in The Trigger Men he delved into the lives of the most notorious assassins. Dillon exposed the IRA’s secret burials, the use of State-sponsored assassins and the phenomenon of sadistic torture by paramilitaries. He helped prepare the way for peace in Ireland by bringing together Nobel Prize winner, John Hume, and Gerry Adams, the IRA’s political leader. His help and advice were sought by the Margaret Thatcher and John Major governments. As a journalist and writer his life has been intertwined with the history of the Irish Troubles and its darkest days. He is often described as one of the most important voices of the conflict.
His latest book is his the memoir, Crossing the Line- My Life on the Edge.
According to Irish Times, the memoir “details a life that’s involved many incredible moments: witnessing the horrors of the Troubles; encounters with major political figures and paramilitaries; rubbing shoulders with Irish literary greats; a successful broadcasting career, but one where he butted heads with BBC management; and having to leave Northern Ireland because of death threats.
Henry McDonald; author, journalist and Ireland correspondent for The Guardian says the memoir is replete with such colourful stories involving the politicians, terrorists, artists and writers he met while covering the conflict in Northern Ireland”.
Readers of this book, and of Dillon’s other works, will agree that “He has that unique knack of combining forensic historical fact-based research with the art of thriller-like writing. His books have accurately chartered the terror and the horror of recent Northern Irish history but always in a tone of compassion for the innocent victims caught up in conflict. Works like his 'The Shankill Butchers' and 'The Dirty War' stand the test of time and will be essential reading for generations to come for those trying to make sense out of the madness that was 'The Troubles'.
Author and journalist, Hugh Jordan, had this to say about Martin Dillon in 2017:
Martin Dillon is a renowned world expert on terrorism. He has written and spoken extensively on this modern day phenomenon, which continues to hit the headlines on a daily basis.

As a journalist, he came well-equipped to cope with the subject. Born in Belfast – the citadel of Ulster unionism at the heart of the divided society that is Northern Ireland - Martin Dillon understood from an early age, the causes of political conflict which if left unaddressed manifests itself in violence.

And as young reporter he stood out among his peers, because he quickly identified the line where politics ended and terrorism began.

Martin’s professional life began on a leading Irish newspaper in 1968.

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an informative and detailed look behind the scenes of the Northern Ireland Troubles. It covers the dirty dealing, the use of agents and informers by all sides and the results of the hunt for such people within each of the organisations involved. Dillon manages to guide the reader through this absolute quagmire of back room deals to explain who was involved, what there roles were and how this affected the events of the past 30 years. Although this book asks more questions than it answers it does clarify a number of points and focuses the reader on specific issues with each chapter rather than trying to address everything at once. By the end of the book the reader gets the correct impression that everyone of the main organisations involved in the Troubles were all involved in such deals no matter how much this has been denied in public. This book will frighten while putting perspective on the complex situations of the Troubles and is made all the more popignant following the recent violence that has once again reared its ugly head by the very small minority who cannot cope with peace.

[Debumere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this book was as long as it is. As you can see, I started it in April last year and got seriously sidetracked. Picked it up again during the Christmas holidays, at 27%, and plowed on.

I have to say I really enjoyed this, there are parts that are a bit *gnnngg* but only a few.

Reading about the IRA and Libya, collusion between the paramilitaries and the RUC.... it's gritty and grim. Definitely one for those who want to know more about collusion, how the paramilitaries fund(ed) themselves and where they got/get their weapons, how both sides reek of hypocrisy and why Northern Ireland can never go back to those dark days.

[Steve Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for the casual reader, this is a factual account of the bloody and "dirty" conflict between loyalists and nationalists in Northern Ireland from about 1968 to 1990. Dillon is to be applauded for his investigative reporting, which he diligently performed, courageously interviewing and prying into the secret affairs if IRA and loyalists groups. It reveals the ugliness of covert terrorism and sectarian hatred.

[Thomas Kanyak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "Information Policy Unit" spreading misinformation and propaganda, RUC Special Branch and CID, The Army's MRF ,14 Intel Company and SAS, MI5 they're all here as they battle the IRA in Northern Ireland in the Dirty War of espionage, informers and black ops that more often than not left someone who was 'expendable' dead. Will twist your mind until you do feel like you're in a "roomful of mirrors" pondering what is real or unreal.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some quick tak-outs:

Very good book and seems rather non partial.
It has aged a bit as it was finished around 1990.
It is definitely written by a good journalist like we do not have many around anymore. He seems to be doing some ground work in asking sources, checking information, etc.
It gives a very good insight about how the police forces, the terrorist organisations and intelligence agencies work, fight against each other, even sometimes on the same side.

[Kormak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uneasy and depressing read, Dillon skillfully portrays the complexity of the Troubles, revealing the deviousness and ruthlessness of all sides, as well as the brutality and futility of the deaths.

I would particularly enjoy reading more on such topics as British psychological operations, MRF squads, the Kincora Boys Home scandal, or the racketeering collaboration between Loyalist and Republican paramilitaries. But I understand how dangerous these are for journalists.

[martin rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking read from mr dillon

On par with all the other books on the subject by martin dillon full of little known imformation on the subject of northern ireland and what i found pleasing whilst reading was martins totally unbiased way of writing . A really good read he is definitely my favorite author

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it was first published and it was by far the best book I have read on "The Troubles" in the north, during my childhood. It's more honest and factual that anything else (and lightyears away from the censored and biased reporting by the media (including the BBC)).
If you only read one book on this period, read this.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dirty war

Great insight into the dirty tactics of the British gov, army, IRA, UDA and various sub factions. Ends just before the Adair era in the 90’s.

No winners in this conflict.

[Kate Zimmerbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an exploration of the spying and counter-spying during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. 450 pages of covert action and unethical behavoir. Very dirty war, indeed.

[Bill Lents · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gritty and enlightening.....

Enlightened as to the actions taken by all sides in the Troubles of Northern Ireland. Gritty and disheartening. Important read of history.

[Matthew Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of a conflict I knew little about on reflecting as to what I now know after reading Dillons work. This book delves into the hidden aspects of the conflict such as the propaganda war, the involvement of MI5 and other such agencies and the use of double agents and informers. The book painted a fascinating picture of many instances within the conflict where deeply troubling behaviours and practices were demonstrated by all involved. I'm definitely interested in reading Dillon's other works in this series after this introduction.

[Rachel Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book (published in 1990) is an investigative account of the troubles in Northern Ireland starting in 1969 and spanning the next 2 decades. It was tough going in places so definitely not one for the casual reader but it is well written and you really get an insight into what went on during those difficult times.