The spy who doesn’t talk shop at the Roscommon family reunions

The son of Irish emigrants, John Brennan was this week announced as Obama’s choice to head up the CIA. Caroline O’Doherty investigates

FAMILY reunions are a chance to catch up on gossip from home and work, but when the Brennans get together in Roscommon, the one with the most fascinating water cooler stories stays politely but resolutely schtum.

“It was very much casual talk,” says Owen Brennan of his most recent encounter with his first cousin, John. When it came to John’s job, “he didn’t go there”. That’s not surprising — outside the office, spies rarely talk shop.