IRA spy unhappy at film portrayal

A FORMER IRA infiltrator who risked being killed to prevent murders and bombings in the north has spoken of his unhappiness over the way he has been portrayed in a film.

Martin McGartland, who survived an assassination attempt and suffered injuries after jumping from a building to escape the IRA, said he is angry about the way his story has been treated in the film Fifty Dead Men Walking.

The Canadian-British production, starring Ben Kingsley, will receive its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10.

Mr McGartland, who is threatening the filmmakers with legal action, said he hopes to fly to Canada to mount a protest to coincide with the premiere.

He has claimed the film, inspired by his 1997 book about his life story, Fifty Dead Men Walking, fails to make it clear that he was never a true member of the IRA and only joined the organisation as a Special Branch agent.

He objected to a film scene in which he is depicted as witnessing the IRA torture and murder of a suspected informer.

“I was never in such a position, never, ever,” he said.

A HandMade Films spokeswoman said she could not comment until a statement was issued later today.