But a military source said: “This kind of thing has been unthinkable for many years now. There were some very questionable techniques deployed in the 1970s but they were put a stop to very soon afterwards.” The documents also reveal that a soldier involved in the Gransha operation had a role in an ambush that saw three IRA men killed in Strabane, Co Tyrone, two months later. The three men were in the process of robbing the bookmakers when they were targeted by undercover British soldiers. Defensive Brief D Meeting between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach 5 April 1974 Army Plain Clothes Patrols in Northern Ireland, UK National Archives PREM 16/154. Former SAS soldier Ken Connor, states that he was part of a three man team sent to assess the Military Reaction Force in 1972, which he refers to as the Military Reconnaissance Force (the cover name given to it by the British), in the wake of the Four Square Laundry episode, when the initials MRF became known.

Dennis Heaney 40th Anniversary - statement from family Dennis Heaney 40th Anniversary - statement from family

Falconer, Duncan (2001). First into Action: Dramatic Personal Account of Life Inside the SBS. London: Warner. ISBN 9780751531657. Functioning as a rankless meritocracy (as far as one of these can exist in a military), initiative, intelligence, and independent thinking were highly sought after traits in recruits.

This wasn’t your ‘regular’ special operations unit. It was more akin to an intelligence service gone feral than a military outfit. With around 120 operators, both men and women, from all branches of the military, it split into four detachments, the Dets, each with its slice of the province’s toughest areas: Antrim, Londonderry, Belfast, and Newry. Northern Ireland. The 14 Int’s four bases were dispersed throughout the province (Wikimedia.org).

British spies recruited paedo IRA chief: Spooks used pictures

It is believed that one of the main roles of the SRR is to support SAS/ SBS special operations by providing close target reconnaissance, surveillance and 'eyes-on' intelligence. The regiment employs state-of-the-art electronic surveillance gear to eavesdrop on their targets.The MoD is seeking public interest immunity certificates in relation to the inquest. If they are granted the MoD cannot be forced to reveal which army unit was responsible. Still don’t understand why we don’t use the MRAPs and Strykers as replacements. Multi wheel driv... On visiting his sister Pat in London, he nearly drove her to distraction saying “this is the first time I was ever on an aeroplane. This is the first time I was on the Tube; This is first time I was on a London bus, at the zoo, on a boat”. His first and only time. Although troops from 14th Intelligence Company were in the area at the time on a surveillance operation, the army maintained that they had only stopped while observing a robbery in progress.

14th Intelligence Company - statewatch.org NI: 14th Intelligence Company - statewatch.org

He explained that while serving in the north he never fired any shots because the methods republicans, and in particular the IRA, were using ensured "there was never an opportunity to engage".In September 2005, 2 members of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment were reportedly arrested in the Southern Iraqi city of Basra. They had apparently been involved in a surveillance operation against the local police when they aroused the suspicion of Iraqi police. A gunfight ensued and the 2 SRR operators were taken into custody. Unable to secure the 2 men's release through diplomatic means, they were rescued by their SAS colleagues in a controversial operation which included the use of British APCs in a diversionary raid on a police station. The SAS, for example, who were very active in the province were deemed too aggressive and callous for the delicate job of agent and informer handling. Company drove a range of cars that from the outside looked like everyday civilian saloons, but in fact had some special features built-in. Special Reconnaissance Unit" is the term appearing in official documents from the 1970s. An April 1974 briefing for Prime Minister Harold Wilson states: However, it is understood the coroner in charge of the inquest, Jim Kitson, has been made aware of the identity of the unit or units involved.