Previous works by David Burke have shone a light into some very dark corners of our political past. His two books , Deception and Lies (2020) and An Enemy of the Crown (2022). Deal with an interestimg chapter of Irish life. The Arms Crisis was a political scandal which raised eyebrows in high places in Ireland. Two Fianna Fáil politicians, Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney, and others, were alleged to have broken Irish law in an illegal attempt to import weapons with the assistance of Irish military intelligence, G2, to arm the Provisional IRA. Of the two books Burke, a practicing Barrister, says, “ In those books I set out on the basis for my belief that the endeavour, while a chaotic shambles, was not an illegal operation.” An interesting angle no doubt.

In his most recent work ,The Puppet Masters, his penchant for meticulous research and delving into papers which haven’t seen the light of day for generations shows in every page. A quarter of this revealing work deals with new evidence about the role played by Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, and their mole within Garda intelligence, Patrick Crinnion. Crinnion was no ordinary Garda. He was a part-time model and was a member of Mensa. Which means he had an IQ of at least 148 on the Catthel’s scale.

Crinnion’s mother had been in service to the Viscount of Powerscourt. She and her family resided in a cottage on the Bogal Road, Bray, owned by the Powerscourt family. According to David Burke, “Young Patrick grew up in an atmosphere loosely similar to that portrayed in Downton Abbey.

The author lists and quotes from a series of letters written by Patrick Crinnion which he uncovered when research for The Puppet Masters.

First, a collection of letters Crinnion sent to various parties in 1973. Second, a compilation of memoranda, also from 1973, which were written by Crinnion. Burke says, “The latter was supplied to me by a source who must remain confidential.” He uncovers the clandestine activities of Crinnion, who as a Garda intelligence officer secretly served MI6 during the early years of the Troubles. Burke reveals how as the Garda Síochána launched a manhunt for the Chief-of-Staff of the IRA, Crinnion found himself playing a crucial role in the effort to track him down. According to Burke before Crinnion fled into exile (The Puppet Masters reveals what became of him) his actions exposed a web of secrets including those of another British spy in the Irish police, damaging intelligence leaks, gunrunning by Irish politicians, and a cover-up related to the murder of a Garda. The book gives a detailed account of MI6’s shady dealings, from attempts to smear Irish politicians to plans for using criminals as assassins and the secret surveillance of a key IRA member. And Crinnion's entanglements with some of Ireland's top politicians. David Burke sums him up with brevity, “ Crinnion was truly a master spy.”

Ceoltoiri Chualann and The Puppet Masters are both published by Mercier Press.

See you in September.