Northern Ireland

MI5 blamed for Fermanagh letterbox cash

Envelopes stuffed with cash which were pushed through Gabriel Meehan's letterbox
Envelopes stuffed with cash which were pushed through Gabriel Meehan's letterbox Envelopes stuffed with cash which were pushed through Gabriel Meehan's letterbox

A CO Fermanagh republican has claimed British Intelligence are attempting to recruit him as an informer after envelopes full of cash were sent to his address.

Gabriel Meehan (41) believes MI5 is behind the double cash drop at his Irvinestown home this month.

He is one of several Republican Sinn Féin (RSF) members the party says have been targeted.

Another Fermanagh based member Dom Ó Donnchaidh claims his neighbour discovered two men acting suspiciously outside his Garrison home earlier this month.

In June, the 50-year-old was arrested and questioned about a Continuity IRA show of strength in Co Fermanagh weeks earlier.

Pictures later emerged of shots being fired in a graveyard near Wattle Bridge and armed men patrolling a country road.

The republican, who has denied taking part in any show of strength, claims that during questioning the names of other republicans were put to him.

He also said he was approached by two men and a woman while out with his young son in Enniskillen earlier this year.

Co Fermanagh republican Gabriel Meehan. Picture by Hugh Russsell.
Co Fermanagh republican Gabriel Meehan. Picture by Hugh Russsell. Co Fermanagh republican Gabriel Meehan. Picture by Hugh Russsell.

He claims that when challenged a man said they were "crown forces" and referred to Co Cavan based RSF member John Connolly and two other men during the encounter.

In 2002 Connolly was given a 14 year sentence after he and two others were caught with a Real IRA 'barrack buster' mortar near Derrylin in Co Fermanagh in 2000.

Mr Ó Donnchaidh claims he has been subjected to regular stop and search operations in recent months and that his 25-year-old son has moved across the border to Co Monaghan as a result.

Mr Meehan claims he was also asked about Connolly and another republican when approached by two men as he walked from a shop in his home village in May.

He said that on two separate occasions earlier this month cash was pushed through his letterbox in white envelopes.

Mr Meehan believes MI5 is to blame and said he feels "intimidated".

A spokesman for RSF said there has been a "notable increase in approaches" to party members and urged those targeted to contact the republican movement or their solicitor.

The men's solicitor, Paul Pierce of KRW Law, said the approaches could put them and family members at risk and said he would be writing to the justice minister and chief constable.