Who was Stakeknife? Hardened IRA man-turned-double spy Freddie Scappaticci fed the British with 'a goldmine of intelligence' for 25 years during the Troubles
- 'Stakeknife', was code-name of IRA man turned British spy Freddie Scappaticci
- Scappaticci's passing will merit no hero's funeral, even from those he worked for
- READ MORE: Freddie Scappaticci 'passed away and was buried last week'
'Stakeknife', the code-name of hardened IRA man turned British spy Freddie Scappaticci, was one of the most controversial figures in the bloody history of the Troubles.
When his identity emerged in 2003, it seemed inconceivable that the British government could have planted a mole deep in the heart of the IRA's command structure for more than two decades, but though he often denied it, Scappaticci is now generally accepted to have been that double-agent.
Despite the risks he took, Scappaticci's passing will merit no hero's funeral, not even from those he worked for.
For the 25 years that he worked for British intelligence in Northern Ireland are mired in blood and treachery – with police still investigating claims that he could have been responsible for the kidnap, murder and torture of as many as 50 individuals during that time.
He was one of the leading figures in the so-called 'nutting squad', the ruthless IRA internal security unit which interrogated and often killed suspected informers.
'Stakeknife', the code-name of hardened IRA man turned British spy Freddie Scappaticci (pictured), was one of the most controversial figures in the bloody history of the Troubles
Born in the Markets area of West Belfast, the son of Italian immigrants, Scappaticci began working as a bricklayer, but in 1971 aged 25, he was interned without trial, along with many of the next generation of Republicans including Gerry Adams.
When he was released in 1974 he was a volunteer in the Provisionals and by 1980 he had joined the Nutting Squad.
His first involvement with British Intelligence is believed to have been in 1978, when he is said to have volunteered to become an informer after being assaulted in an argument with a senior IRA comrade.
His first contact was with the RUC's Special Branch, but when the British later formed the shadowy Force Research unit to co-ordinate Army intelligence, Stakeknife became their best asset.
Stakeknife is said to have provided a goldmine of intelligence to the British, including allowing them to identify IRA members involved in the kidnapping of wealthy Irish supermarket magnate Ben Dunne in 1981, as well as those who tried to abduct Canadian business tycoon Galen Weston in 1983.
Born in the Markets area of West Belfast, the son of Italian immigrants, Scappaticci (bottom left) began working as a bricklayer, but in 1971 aged 25, he was interned without trial, along with many of the next generation of Republicans including Gerry Adams
One of Scappaticci's most notable claims was that former Sinn Fein leader and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness was involved in the death of Frank Hegarty, an IRA man killed by them in 1986 as an informer after they blamed him for the discovery of a huge Libyan arms cache by the Gardai.
According to other sources, Hegarty himself was an FRU agent, and Scappaticci was involved in his torture and murder, to protect his own skin.
Scappaticci is alleged to have worked closely with his FRU handlers in the 1980s and 1990s to protect and promote his own position within the IRA, with accusations that the FRU even killed individuals who might have exposed Scappaticci as an informer.
The alleged activities of Stakeknife have been under investigation in Operation Kenova led by former Bedfordshire chief constable, Jon Boutcher for seven years and in 2018, Scappaticci was arrested and questioned.
The report from the probe into crimes such as murder and torture linked to Stakeknife, and the role played by the security services, including MI5, was due to be published in early 2023.
Last week, it was announced that the publication of the report had been delayed, it now appears, because of his death.
His first involvement with British Intelligence is believed to have been in 1978, when he is said to have volunteered to become an informer after being assaulted in an argument with a senior IRA comrade
Mr Boutcher said: 'We were made aware last week of the passing of Frederick Scappaticci. We are working through the implications of his death with regards to our ongoing casework, which will be progressed in consultation with victims, bereaved families, advocacy support groups and a wide range of statutory and non-statutory partners.
'The very nature of historical investigations will mean a higher likelihood that old age may catch up with those affected, be they perpetrators, witnesses, victims, family members, or those who simply lived through those times, before matters are concluded.
'We remain committed to providing families with the truth of what happened to their loved ones and continue to actively pursue criminal charges against several individuals. We will publish an interim report on Kenova's findings this year.'
Ironically, Scappaticci's death may mean that much more is revealed about his activities than would have otherwise been the case, said Mr Boutcher.
'We also recognise that people may now feel more able to talk to the Kenova team following the death of Mr Scappaticci, who had long accused by many of being involved in the kidnap, murder and torture of potential PIRA informants during The Troubles.
'I appeal to anyone with information that might help those impacted by the events we are investigating to contact us in confidence to help families understand what happened during these difficult times.'
Britain's top IRA spy Stakeknife has died: Freddie Scappaticci, in his 70s, 'passed away several days ago and was buried last week' - as it emerged report into his suspected role in dozens of killings and torture during the Troubles had been delayed
- The man said to be the Army's top agent within the Provisional IRA has died
Hardened IRA man turned British spy Freddie Scappaticci, who was one of the most controversial figures in the bloody history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, has died.
Freddie Scappaticci, who was aged in his 70s, died several days ago and was buried last week, it emerged on Tuesday.
Stakeknife worked within the IRA's notorious 'nutting squad' interrogating suspected informers during the Troubles.
Scappaticci could have been responsible for the kidnap, murder and torture of as many as 50 individuals.
In 2003, Stakeknife was named as Scappaticci. Pictured: Scappaticci in west Belfast in 2003
The man said to be the Army's top agent within the Provisional IRA, Freddie Scappaticci (pictured), from Belfast, has died
Pictured: Scappaticci walking behind Gerry Adams (right) at the 1988 funeral of IRA man Brendan Davidson
Stakeknife had worked his way into the 'nutting squad', the IRA's version of the KGB, which interrogated and punished suspected spies.
In 2003, Stakeknife was named as Scappaticci.
After it was claimed Scappaticci was a British agent his home was attacked in 2003
'Stakeknife' was feared by even the most hardened IRA gunmen and bombers.
Northern Ireland General Sir John Wilsey described the agent Stakeknife as 'a golden egg' and the 'jewel in the crown' of intelligence sources. The agent reportedly received payments of up to £80,000 a year for information about kidnappings, bombings and shootings.
As a double agent, he was tasked with advancing himself in the paramilitary group, and he became head of the IRA internal security unit, the nutting squad. For that service, he was paid the salary of a then Cabinet Minister - £80,000 a year; moneys were deposited into a bank account based in Gibraltar.
As head of the nutting squad, Agent Stakeknife would have been in charge of vetting all recruits to the IRA and seeking out British moles.
After Scappaticci was alleged to be 'Stakeknife' in 2003, he was moved to a safehouse.
When his identity emerged in 2003, it seemed inconceivable that the British government could have planted a mole deep in the heart of the IRA's command structure for more than two decades, but Scappaticci is now generally accepted to have been that double-agent.
He was one of the leading figures in the so-called 'nutting squad', the ruthless IRA internal security unit which interrogated and often killed suspected informers.
One of Scappaticci's most notable claims was that former Sinn Fein leader and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness was involved in the death of Frank Hegarty, an IRA man killed by them in 1986 as an informer after they blamed him for the discovery of a huge Libyan arms cache.
Scappaticci worked closely with his FRU handlers in the 1980s and 1990s to protect and promote his own position within the IRA, the FRU even killed individuals who might have exposed Scappaticci as an informer.
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