🔗 Share this article

During 1996, law enforcement raided a London residence and arrested Michael Gallagher on suspicion of Irish Republican Army involvement. His partner, an English academic focused in geophysical software, was stunned and outraged.

She could not believe that her romantic partner – a ex-government worker who helped those in need – could be participating with Irish republican militants. Gallagher had previously won over Attenborough by completing a difficult puzzle in merely three minutes.

Legal Accusations

The accused was indicted with working to help the IRA launch mortar attacks at London's major airport in 1994. Although these attacks resulted in no loss of life, they caused widespread disruption.

Attenborough raised funds and backing from others to proclaim her partner's lack of guilt. In spite of the support, Gallagher was found guilty of plotting bomb attacks and handed a 20-year imprisonment.

Aside from a few of others, I hardly share with anyone,” she said. “It was nothing I was happy about because Gallagher had misled me.”

Admission of Guilt

Today, almost 30 years later, the couple continue to be together and have co-written a publication that reveals Michael was, in fact, involved.

He had been a facilitator for the IRA who assisted various missions, such as the airport incident. Gallagher hid the facts from Attenborough and only admitted after his guilty verdict, leaving Attenborough stunned.

Life After Prison

Subsequent to Gallagher's liberation under the terms of the Northern Ireland settlement, the couple relocated to a remote area and set up a online enterprise, which they still operate.

The publication, named Unbroken: Secrets, Lies and Enduring Love, changes perspectives between the pair and postpones the revelation of Gallagher's involvement until after his conviction.

I believe Gallagher is not a bad individual, he’s a truly decent person,” Attenborough said. “He simply did not consider me above all, and I don’t know if I consider that disloyalty. It was not his purpose.”

History Together

They first encountered each other in the mid-1980s through networks that supported labor activists and demonstrated against the apartheid regime.

She, from Walsall, held a advanced degree in theoretical science. Gallagher, of Scottish origin, was an aspiring writer and someone overcoming addiction.

Gallagher had family connections to Northern Ireland and did tasks for the IRA, handling accommodation, transport and identification for republican operatives in England.

The Deception Revealed

Gallagher concealed his involvement from his partner, who supported Irish political unity but rejected militant approaches.

I had given a pledge to the IRA and a vow to Mary and I believed I could keep it hidden – I could to handle each,” he commented.

Law enforcement singled out Gallagher as a person of interest who had visited a building with remnants of incendiary substances. They placed him under surveillance and eavesdropped on the residence for almost two years, culminating in the surprise arrest at their Earl’s Court residence on October 28, 1996.

Consequences and Thoughts

For over a year – including her prison visits and the court case in early 1998 – Gallagher held onto his truth.

It was impossible I could tell her because had I told her at that time, she would have had to notify my sister: ‘Don’t bother arranging sureties for Gallagher because he admitted it,’” Gallagher stated. “It was absolutely an terrible experience.”

The chance of being found not guilty supported his false story until the jury ruled he was responsible. Days later, when she met with him to talk about plans for an appeal, he admitted his guilt.

“At first, I could not decide whether to believe him,” she remembered. “I thought, then, what account of the truth was correct?”

Distraught, she thought about terminating the partnership, but in subsequent visits she accepted Gallagher’s apologies and rationalised his secret actions.

Naturally I didn’t agree with this involvement with the organization. But on the other hand, it was not a leading position that he had.”

Last Disclosures

While the authorship of their book, he disclosed another long-hidden truth to his companion: when he quickly finished the word game in the newspaper of a newspaper, he had already solved it in his own copy.