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The Padre

The True Story of the Irish Priest Who Armed the IRA with Gaddafi's Money

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About this listen

Today, Tipperary-born priest Patrick Ryan cuts a modest but strong figure, to the layperson. A man of God who has been entrusted with the confessions of hundreds of earnest parishioners. But in fact his story is dark, dramatic, and pivotal to Irish history, on both sides of the border.

In The Padre, award-winning investigative journalist Jennifer O'Leary exposes the paramilitary exploits of notorious former Catholic priest and active IRA supporter Patrick Ryan–exposing details which have, outside of his very guarded circles, been unknown until now.

Drawing on highly sensitive information, divulged by Ryan during exclusive secret meetings with the author, The Padre lifts the lid on the true extent of the priest's involvement with the IRA: from being the link between the organisation and the Gaddafi regime, to Ryan's connection to the failed assassination attempt on Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet.

The Padre tells the truly remarkably story of this man of the cloth, and his lifelong struggle with what he, in his heart, believes to be right and wrong.

©2023 Jennifer O'Leary (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd Murder True Crime Crime
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Very good listen especially the fact that a priest becomes involved with the ira. Mind we had priests from all over during ww2 helping resistance against nazi germany. So no different if is belief that Britain was his enemy

Unusual and yet true

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I think this is a very interesting story, didn't know much about fr. Patrick Ryan, if you're country was invaded would you sit back and let it happen or would you do something about it.

Very interesting

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interested in time period and how the whole conflict played out, hard to believe all that went on. the term IRA could have been used less seemed like every sentence had it in it, repetitive.

real life

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Really well told with excellent attention to detail.
Couldn’t wait to finish it .
Great that this piece of history is chronicled.

Fantastic book - gripping

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I was very interested in the contents of this book. The history and social aspects were educational . However I could not get on with the narration. The speaker was too stifled . I could feel her reading each word one by one rather than letting the sentences flow. I had to really push myself to finish the book because of this.
I would rather have just read the book myself.

Poor Naration

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