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Martin McGaftland
THE I N O m N D E N T ^
. August 2 0 0 0 ^ : ^ : ^

Martin McGartland - Apology

IN OUR article "IRA informer shot in gun attack" (17 June 1999) we suggested that a possible motive for the attack on Mr McGartland was his involvement in or membership of a drug-dealing gang. We now accept that this allegation is completely untrue and that Mr McGartland has no involvement in drug crime. In the late Eighties Mr McGartland infiltrated the IRA on behalf of the security services and was credited with saving the lives of at least 50 people. We accept that the most likely motive for his attempted murder was revenge by the IRA. We apologise to Mr McGartland for the article and have paid him substantial damages and his legal costs.

OUR report on 18 Jvine, 1999, about the shooting of M a r t i n McGartland, the former Britlste agent who had infiltrate the IRA , duruiR the late 1980a, suRgestfed.^ that Mr McGartland's link*, with the criminal underworld c o u l d have been thp reason for the-^ t e m p t on his life. ^R tlip High Coturt last week W ^cepT.pd that Mr McGartland, a Wicfosshil author and journattsfc, was not linked to the criminal ; ' Utiderworl^ and apologised fco lUm and agreed to pay substantial damages w d his legal costs.

IN BRIEF

-L
T

Sunday Independent 4 Sunday, November 7, 1999

^ Martin McGartland - Apology

EVEMNG STANDARD

IN our edition of June 20, 1999 reporting on the shooting of M McGartland we said "Detectives investigating the shooting are lookin at the possibility that McGartland . . . was caught in the middle of feud between two local drug gangs." We regret publishing' thes allegations which were completely false. Mr McGartland has neve been involved in any drug related activity. Mr McGartland infiltrate the IRA on behalf of the security forces and now comments o Northern Ireland afifairs. He has written two books about his exper ences. We apologise unreservedly to Mr McGaftland whose innocenc we completely accept. We have agreed to pay him substantial damage and legal costs.

6 , WEDNESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2000

Martin McGartland
OUR report on 17 June 1999 about the shooting of Martin McGartland, the former British agent who had infiltrated the IRA during the late 1980s, stated that the shooting may have l)een related to feuding drug gangs. I n the High Court last week we accepted that Mr McGartland had no involvement or links with drug gangs or the criminal underworld. We apologised to Mr McGartland. who is a successful journalist and author on Northern Ireland affairs. We also agreed to pay him substantial damages and his legal costs.