Spying in the Troubles: the murky world of double agents in Northern Ireland
History Extra podcast
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Moral Dilemmas in Espionage
Exploring the ethical challenges faced by agents and handlers in espionage during the Northern Ireland conflict, this chapter focuses on a scenario where an agent must decide between saving lives and maintaining their safety by hiding information from the IRA. It sheds light on the pressure individuals faced without clear legal guidelines and the diverse range of people recruited as spies, including party officials, paramilitaries, and ordinary citizens. Additionally, it examines the motivations driving individuals to become involved in espionage, such as financial struggles, revenge, idealism for peace, blackmail, and the need for validation.
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