17 July 1997 Edition

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RUC try to recruit Downpatrick man

An Phoblacht has learned of yet another attempt by the RUC to recruit informers in the Downpatrick area. Dean Maghers (19) was forced to meet members of the RUC following a charge of possession of cannabis last December.

After he was charged at Grove RUC station he was told that the charges would be dropped if he agreed to meet RUC plainclothes detectives. Three days later he was picked up and taken to Downpatrick racecourse where he met two RUC men, one of whom introduced himself as Jim. Maghers was quizzed about break-ins, car thefts and drug deals. He was asked to compile a list of known drug dealers and promised 10% commission of the value of any stolen goods he helped recover.

At his second meeting, which took place outside Downpatrick, he was given the codename Brian Gray. He was instructed to involve himself in break-ins and help frame `other hoods'. At this and subsequent meetings he was given cigarettes and money.

In an attempt to escape the grip of his RUC handlers, Maghers moved to Armagh and then to London. By this point he was suicidal. ``I didn't know where to turn'' Maghers said, ``I moved to Armagh for a few weeks. I then came back and stayed indoors as much as possible. But the cops knew I was back''. Maghers told An Phoblacht that the RUC rang the house a number of times and asked for Brian Gray''. ``I was panicking,'' he said, ``I felt I'd have to kill myself. Then I thought if I went to London and got work there I'd be away from them''.

The move to London proved little respite. Maghers couldn't get employment and spent weeks living rough on the streets before returning home.

On his return he was again approached by his handler, Jim. He was taken to another secret meeting but this time quizzed about his family connection with Sinn Fein. He was asked to supply lists of all he knew to be in Sinn Fein. He was instructed to join Sinn Fein with a view to finding out more information about local republicans. He was told he would be supplied with a mobile phone and that he would eventually be fixed up with a new home and employment abroad.

Maghers moved to Ardglass for a few weeks in the vain hope that the RUC interest in him would wane. On his return to Downpatrick he was again approached by his handler and taken to meet an RUC inspector called Lusty, who he was told was from the Special Branch. At this meeting he was questioned about his family. He was given a telephone number and threatened with arrest if he failed to ring in within a few weeks.

After his meeting Maghers told his parents about his involvement with the RUC and his attempts to disengage from them. His parents immediately contacted a solicitor who filed a detailed complaint on Magher's behalf. He has since received a letter from the Police Complaints Commission but continues to receive harassment from the local RUC.

Sinn Fein councillor Paddy McGreevy called on anyone caught in a similar situation to come forward and ``break the connection with the RUC. It is clear the RUC are pressurising young people to work as informers, they need to come forward to protect themselves''.

An Phoblacht
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