This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7235364.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sinn Fein driver revealed as spy | Sinn Fein driver revealed as spy |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A former driver for senior members of Sinn Fein has been revealed to be an informer for the security services. | A former driver for senior members of Sinn Fein has been revealed to be an informer for the security services. |
| It is understood Roy McShane, from west Belfast, left Northern Ireland on Friday and entered protective custody. | It is understood Roy McShane, from west Belfast, left Northern Ireland on Friday and entered protective custody. |
| He was one of a number of drivers who worked with Gerry Adams and other senior members. He may have been working for MI5 and not the police. | He was one of a number of drivers who worked with Gerry Adams and other senior members. He may have been working for MI5 and not the police. |
| Sinn Fein said Mr McShane had been under suspicion for some time and been sidelined. | Sinn Fein said Mr McShane had been under suspicion for some time and been sidelined. |
| BBC NI home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney said that, as a driver, the agent would have been in a position to overhear potentially sensitive discussions about Sinn Fein strategy, and he would have been viewed as a valuable source of intelligence. | |
| Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said that Mr McShane had been asked by his family about rumours that he was an informant, and confirmed them. | Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said that Mr McShane had been asked by his family about rumours that he was an informant, and confirmed them. |
| Mr Maskey said that he doubted if his role as a driver would have made him party to sensitive information. | Mr Maskey said that he doubted if his role as a driver would have made him party to sensitive information. |
| "I think that you would expect our senior members, particularly if they are on sensitive business, that discussions would be held with the relevant people and would not be spoken about openly," he said. | "I think that you would expect our senior members, particularly if they are on sensitive business, that discussions would be held with the relevant people and would not be spoken about openly," he said. |
| The South Belfast MLA said Mr McShane was under no threat from republicans, but had to make his "own peace" with his family. | The South Belfast MLA said Mr McShane was under no threat from republicans, but had to make his "own peace" with his family. |
| "He's safe, let's face it the war is over, I see him under no threat at all from republicans," he said. | "He's safe, let's face it the war is over, I see him under no threat at all from republicans," he said. |