GUNRUNNING FOR IRA, PRISON, UK SPECIAL BRANCH & INFORMANTS | John Crawley, ex-Marine & IRA volunteer

For this episode I spoke with John Crawley (Ex-US Marine and IRA volunteer), author of the "The Yank: The True Story of a Former US Marine in the Irish Republican Army".

John spoke to me about his move to Ireland from the US as a teen, his time in the US Marine Corps, his joining the IRA and how the organization works from the inside.

I asked John about his gunrunning mission for the IRA involving the now infamous James "Whitey" Bulger, his time in prison, meeting with the CIA, his part in a plan to disrupt the London power grid using bombs, being under surveillance by British Intel, the question of "Freedom Fighter or Terrorist", his thoughts on sectarianism and much more.

Please be sure to purchase John's book if you find the episode interesting 
https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/the-yank/
https://www.amazon.com/Yank-Story-Former-Marine-Republican/dp/1612199844

***TIMESTAMPS***
00:00 Intro, Moving to Ireland from the US, influences 
09:10 Decision to join the IRA 
12:00 Joining the US Marines 
18:20 Joining IRA after Marines 
22:30 IRA training & Operations, “types” within the IRA, Life in the IRA
40:40 Public support for IRA 
46:10 GUN-RUNNING MISSION to the US
55:25 Caught w/ shipment of guns, arrested by Gardai (Irish police) 
1:05:10 After 10 year prison sentence 
1:09:25 Plot to disrupt power grid in London & surveillance from British Intel
1:18:55 PAID A VISIT BY THE CIA- offered John $$ to rat
1:24:23 Prison in England- treatment by guards 
1:28:30 Thoughts on sectarianism 
1:33:40 Early release from prison in England (2nd ceasefire) 
1:40:10 Thoughts on Loyalist paramilitaries, collusion w/ British intelligence 
1:43:15 FREEDOM FIGHTER OR TERRORIST 
1:49:30 Any regrets or things John misses about the old life?
1:54:00 Final words and book signings 
1:55:40 Can John return to the US ?? (Not back since 1984)



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