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During 1996, law enforcement stormed a London apartment and detained Michael Gallagher for alleged IRA operations. His girlfriend, an scholar working in geophysical software, was shocked and outraged.

She found it impossible to accept that her cerebral boyfriend – a ex-government worker who assisted those in need – might be participating with paramilitary groups. He had even impressed Attenborough by completing a cryptic crossword in only a few moments.

Court Case

Gallagher was indicted with working to help the IRA launch mortar attacks at a key transport hub in the mid-1990s. Although these attacks resulted in no loss of life, they caused widespread security concerns.

Attenborough mustered financial support and backing from others to defend her partner's lack of guilt. In spite of the support, he was sentenced of plotting bomb attacks and was given a two-decade prison sentence.

Aside from a few of individuals, I hardly inform others,” Attenborough said. “It was not a matter I was particularly pleased with because he had deceived me.”

Revealing the Truth

Currently, roughly 30 years following the events, the pair are still in a relationship and have written together a memoir that confirms Gallagher was, actually, responsible.

Gallagher had been an IRA fixer who supported multiple operations, including the airport incident. Gallagher kept secret the reality from Attenborough and merely revealed after his sentencing, making her devastated.

Life After Prison

Following his release under the provisions of the 1998 Good Friday agreement, the partners moved to the Irish countryside and started a web development business, which they still operate.

The memoir, named Unbroken: Secrets, Lies and Enduring Love, alternates narratives between the two and withholds the revelation of his actions until following his conviction.

I believe Michael is not a terrible man, he’s a fundamentally good individual,” Attenborough remarked. “He simply failed to prioritize me, and I am uncertain whether I view it as disloyalty. He had no malicious intent.”

Background and Relationship

They first encountered each other in 1985 through groups that supported labor activists and protested against racial segregation.

Attenborough, from near Birmingham, held a advanced degree in academic research. He, a Glaswegian, was an budding literary figure and recovering alcoholic.

Gallagher had ancestral ties and performed tasks for republican groups, arranging lodging, logistics and paperwork for activists in Britain.

The Deception Revealed

Gallagher concealed his involvement from his partner, who favored a united Ireland but disapproved of militant approaches.

“I’d made a commitment to the IRA and a vow to Mary and I assumed I was getting away with it – that I was able to manage both,” Gallagher explained.

Law enforcement recognized Gallagher as a individual under investigation who had been to a warehouse with traces of explosives. They watched his movements and eavesdropped on the residence for nearly 24 months, culminating in the early morning police action at their Earl’s Court residence on that autumn day.

Later Realizations

During many months – throughout her meetings in jail and the legal proceedings in February 1998 – Gallagher kept his secret.

I could not share with her because had I told her then, she would have had to tell my sister: ‘Do not trouble yourselves arranging sureties for Michael because he admitted it,’” Gallagher stated. “It was really an terrible period.”

The hope of being found not guilty sustained his false story until the tribunal decided against him. Days later, when Attenborough visited to discuss further court actions, he revealed his involvement.

Initially, I could not decide if to accept his admission,” Attenborough said. “I thought, so, which version of the truth should I accept?”

Emotionally shaken, she contemplated terminating the partnership, but in later meetings she agreed to his explanations and justified his clandestine activities.

Naturally I disapproved with his participation with the IRA. Yet, it wasn’t such a major part that he was playing.”

Last Disclosures

While the authorship of their publication, Gallagher disclosed one more long-hidden truth to his companion: when he speedily finished the crossword in the newspaper of a newspaper, he had earlier completed it in another edition.