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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Spared' by gang then shot in head – Secret exchanges of ex-Provo & innocent Dublin postie condemned to ‘living death'
INNOCENT postman Robert Delany was told his life would be spared by an ex-IRA man — before he was blasted in the head. The secret exchanges between 4 Robert's parents Terry and Noeleen Delany with his two daughters Megan and Katie Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin 4 Robert pictured with his daughter Megan Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin 4 Robert's two daughters Kati, 17, and Megan 23 Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin Robert, now 43, was And it was all because he'd tried to break up a fight involving a son of the veteran republican just a few months earlier. He survived the attempt on his life but continues to suffer what doctors have termed a 'living death'. Now, almost 17 years on from the barbaric attack, Robert's family have revealed their ongoing trauma in the three-part podcast. Read more in News Listen to This Is Robert from Thursday May 29 on As the shooting victim continues to receive 24-hour care, his parents Terry and Noeleen outlined details of their son's deadly betrayal. Terry said: 'Robert was keeping a low profile after the fight because he knew they were after him — they wanted to find out who he was. 'But then he took the initiative and went to see the young lad's father — a well known criminal. 'Robert met him in a local Most read in The Irish Sun 'He apologised for what happened, explained the circumstances and was told 'it's OK, don't worry about it'. 'Robert immediately relaxed his guard and we were also told they wanted €20,000 off him — but we could never prove that.' Robert Delany's family recall first Christmas without him just months after shooting Reflecting on the assurance Robert received, Terry added: 'The guards said to me that Robert was very naive — the criminal was never going to let this go. 'The criminal's ego had been blunted and Robert had sadly set himself up by meeting him. 'I think that goes to demonstrate how innocent he was — he actually sought out the criminal to apologise. 'UNDER THREAT' 'Robert was under threat — he realised shortly after the incident who he was dealing with. 'He realised he was in trouble and that it wasn't going to go away. 'He took the initiative to go and meet this guy, in the hope that he could sort it out himself without bringing any pressure on us — but sadly that didn't work.' Terry added: 'We were told by his friends that Robert was keeping a low profile, that he was changing his shifts in work and working later. 'We only found this out after the event. We knew that something had happened but didn't quite know what it was. He never told us.' CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE Reflecting on his campaign for justice, dad Terry revealed: 'We just said from day one we're not going to be intimidated by anybody. 'We spoke to the guards about security measures we should take. 'We took a conscious decision that we were going to highlight Robert's case at every opportunity.' Robert's mum Noeleen also reveals how she believes the meeting was arranged as they 'wanted to find out who he was' and 'follow him'. Although Real IRA hitman Daniel Gaynor was responsible for the shooting, At the time, Gaynor was a contract killer for the Real NO CHARGE FOR SHOOTING By then, the veteran republican had been abandoned by the mainstream republican movement over the shooting. He had started associating with dissident republicans led by former Real IRA boss Alan Ryan. The ex-Provo was probed about the shooting but was never charged. Gaynor was also questioned but would never stand trial. He was shot dead by Keith Wilson in August 2010. 'The guards said to me that Robert was very naive — the criminal was never going to let this go." Terry Delany Robert's family still believe that it's not too late for anyone to be charged with orchestrating the attempt on their son's life. The new podcast will also hear from the former senior Garda who led the investigation into the shooting. Pat Lordan, who retired in 2023 after 37 years' service, still hopes that the criminal who ordered the attack can be brought to justice. 'HORRIFIC CRIME' Mr Lordan told us: 'This was a horrific crime against a young man who was doing his level best for his family. 'He was just trying to look after his family. 'There was a viewpoint that this was a case of mistaken identity among the investigators. 'But that, as we know, was not the case. We also got information early on that people had been told not to speak up. 'I think the words used would have been 'dead people can't talk'. 'This would be common enough but people do talk — no matter who they are. 'The best of criminals talk and trust in people.' 'UNUSUAL CASE' The former officer added: 'This was the most unusual case and a difficult one for us Gardai to work on because the culprits didn't have to and never did set foot in Robert Delany's apartment. 'Robert was attacked in his own home. A shotgun fired at him, badly injuring him, leaving him with life-threatening injuries which he has not succumbed to. 'He's really had a horrific time for all these years — struggling through as a result of the injuries he sustained that day.' GANG CULTURE RIFE THEN ROBERT Delany was shot at a time when gangland crime in Dublin was rampant. In 2008, Eamon 'The Don' Dunne was running one of the capital's most dangerous drugs gangs, two years after orchestrating the murder of his mentor Marlo Hyland. But the Dublin brigade of the Real IRA was also a powerful force and had access to an arsenal of weapons. They used the threat of republican violence to tax drug dealers via various forms of extortion. They warned dealers they'd be shot if they didn't pay protection money to support their 'cause'. Daniel Gaynor was among those used to intimidate. And at this time, the Wilsons were at the heart of murder in Dublin. The gun-for-hire family, led by Eric 'Lucky' Wilson, killed at least 12 people. It all began when Eric murdered his former best friend in a row over drugs in 2005. He then became the go-to guy for gangsters Eamon Dunne, Marlo Hyland and the Kinahans. But Eric went on to murder a man in a Spanish bar in 2010 and was later caged for 23 years. Robert's sister Sinead and his two daughters will also reveal their trauma on the three-part podcast. We will also meet Robert. THIS Is Robert is brought to you by the producers of the Kinahans and the Stardust Tragedy podcasts. Listen to This Is Robert from Thursday May 29 on 4 Robert with his daughter Megan aged 6 Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin
Irish Independent
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Mark Tighe: More bizarre moments in high-stakes trial as Gerry Adams takes on BBC
As Declan Doyle, one of Gerry Adams's senior counsel, cross-examined the editor of BBC's Spotlight programme last week, he asked her about directions she had given the actor who voiced 'Martin', the pseudonym for an ex-IRA/Sinn Féin man turned British spy.
Belfast Telegraph
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Gerry Adams vs the BBC: ‘I am here to defend the journalism,' reporter tells ‘smear' trial
latest | Costs rise to €1m in case brought by ex-Sinn Féin leader over allegations about murder of party official As Declan Doyle, one of Gerry Adams's senior counsel, cross-examined the editor of BBC's Spotlight programme last week, he asked her about directions she had given the actor who voiced 'Martin', the pseudonym for an ex-IRA/Sinn Féin man turned British spy. It was 'Martin', wearing a baseball cap and with his appearance obscured by a piece of glass, who alleged in a 2016 Spotlight documentary that Gerry Adams had authorised the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson, a Sinn Féin official, months after he confessed to being a British spy.
Sunday World
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
False statements provided in legal row over exhuming body of murdered IRA man
Counsel representing the Department for Communities claimed the misleading information related to the removal of a headstone at the grave of Kevin McGuigan The Funeral of former IRA man Kevin McGuigan in 2015 (Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker) False statements were provided in a legal battle over attempts to exhume the body of a murdered ex-IRA prisoner, the High Court heard today. Counsel representing the Department for Communities claimed the misleading information related to the removal of a headstone at the grave of Kevin McGuigan. McGuigan, 53, was shot dead in front of his wife Dolores at their home in the Short Strand, east Belfast back in August 2015. Republicans were suspected of sanctioning the father-of-nine's murder amid disputed claims he was involved in the killing of former IRA commander Gerard 'Jock' Davison in the Markets area of the city three months previously. Kevin McGuigan Today's News in 90 seconds - Thursday, May 1 McGuigan is currently buried in a plot owned by his mother at Belfast City Cemetery. But his widow wants his remains exhumed for interment in the same grave as their late daughter. In August 2021, the Department for Communities turned down a request to be allowed to move the body. The decision was taken after the murder victim's mother refused to consent to the exhumation. Revised policy guidance states that without agreement from the owner, a grave can only be opened in exceptional circumstances. Mrs McGuigan, as her husband's nearest surviving relative, is seeking to judicially review the Department's determination. She alleges that the refusal breaches her entitlement to private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In one statement she described the 'devastating impact' of her husband's shooting and being unable to take part in the decision-making process about his burial. The couple's terminally ill daughter made a request to her grandmother to be buried with her father before she died, it was alleged. Mrs McGuigan has claimed a failure to properly balance her rights against the property rights of her mother-in-law. But in court today Tony McGleenan KC, for the Department, argued that her case involved 'material misrepresentations' about who moved a headstone at the current burial site. Based on further affidavits lodged as part of the challenge, he contended: 'There has been a breach in the duty of candour… it is beyond dispute that false statements have been presented to the court and the Department.' In detailed submissions the barrister insisted the burial row should have been determined by the Chancery Court rather than subjected to a judicial review. 'The case has been brought forward on a false premise,' he said. Part of the case centred on issues over who holds exclusive rights to the current plot. Mr McGleenan suggested issues could be resolved if an 'incredibly elaborate factual account' of an alleged conversation about handing over ownership proved to be correct. 'If the applicant has exclusive rights of burial it unlocks the process, and if the council consents an exhumation would potentially be open under the policy,' he told the court. Rejecting the alleged breach of Article 8, counsel stressed there was no absolute policy of refusing all bids to relocate bodies. He added: 'The Department will look at it on a case by case basis, even where you don't have exclusive rights of burial.' The hearing continues.
