Special branch robbery ; Terror agents warned

Agents operating within paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland were tonight urged to think carefully about how they operate if it is proven republicans were behind the break-in at a high security police station two weeks ago.

Former soldier turned spy Willie Carlin, who infiltrated Sinn Fein in 1974 and reported on them for 11 years, told PA News that agents currently working in Northern Ireland feared the IRA, or rogue elements within it, may have been responsible for the break-in 15 days ago at Castlereagh police station.

As police carried out more swoops in west Belfast relating to the break-in, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams told a 1916 Easter Rising commemoration in the north of the city republicans would not take the blame for the break-in.

‘‘Let’s make it clear to (Northern Ireland Secretary) John Reid and anyone else who’s listening,’’ the West Belfast MP told a rally in the staunchly republic New Lodge district.

‘‘Republicans will not be scapegoated and will not accept responsibility for the working out of the British agenda.’’

Five of the six people arrested in Belfast and Londonderry at the weekend have been released without charge.

The remaining person in custody is believed to be one of four republicans questioned about the incident.

A woman working in the catering section of the police station was also released without charge as well as a male associate.

The arrests have greatly angered republicans but have also disturbed unionists who doubt Sinn Fein’s sincerity towards the peace process.

It also unnerved a group of former and current military intelligence agents who have been campaigning for recognition from the Ministry of Defence of the sacrifices they have made as spies.

Willie Carlin, a former Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars soldier who spied on Sinn Fein in Londonderry for MI5 from 1974 to 1985 but fled Northern Ireland when he was unmasked by a rogue agent, said there were ‘‘alarming implications’’ if republican involvement was firmly established.

‘‘Up until now, people were working on the assumption that elements within military intelligence were behind the St Patrick’s night break-in,’’ he said.

‘‘That may well still be the case but it is also plausible it was the IRA.

‘‘There are all kinds of permutations. These arrests could be a smokescreen.

’’Alternatively, it may well be that rogue elements in the IRA have been involved and have been doing their own thing without the knowledge of people like Gerry Adams.

‘‘It could also be the case the Republican Movement was behind it.

‘‘The implications, nevertheless, are extremely serious. If there is a percentage chance that republicans of some description have material relating to Special Branch handlers in their possession, then agents operating in Northern Ireland need to be careful.

‘‘They need to watch their movements, avoid meeting handlers and remain in contact with them by phone. Whatever way you look at it, this is deeply worrying and embarrassing for intelligence gatherers in Northern Ireland.’’

It is understood today’s raids took place in the Poleglass area of west Belfast on the outskirts of the city and in nearby Andersonstown. No arrests were made.