Big Boys' Rules: The SAS and the Secret Struggle Against the IRA - Softcover

Urban, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0571168094 ISBN 13: 9780571168095

Publisher: Faber & Faber, 1996

Synopsis

The SAS describes its attitude to the use of lethal force as 'Big boys' games, big boys' rules'. Anyone caught with a gun or bomb can expect to be shot. In Big Boys' Rules: The SAS and the Secret Struggle Against the IRA Mark Urban meticulously explores the security forces' covert operations in Northern Ireland: from the mid-1970s, when they were stepped up, to the Loughall ambush in 1987, in which eight IRA Provisionals were killed. While charting the successes and failures of special operations during the troubles, Urban reveals the unenviable dilemmas faced by intelligence chiefs engaged in a daily struggle against one of the world's most sophisticated terrorist organisations.

'This is a book that needed to be written and which fulfils the essentials of any Ulster story; it expands understanding beyond fragmented jingoism and newspaper headlines.' John Stalker, Sunday Times

About this title

Book Description:

Mark Urban's Big Boys' Rules portrays the violent and increasingly desperate struggle between the SAS and the IRA during the troubles of recent Irish history.

Synopsis:

In this book, defence specialist and war correspondent Mark Urban explores covert operations against the IRA from the mid-1970s to the Loughgall shooting in 1987. Drawing on interviews with people who have served at the heart of intelligence and special operations in Ulster, as well as with members of paramilitary groups, this book examines the roles of the army, the police and special branch, as well as both MI5 and MI6. The book also looks at the shoot to kill allegations, and records members of the security forces describing the deliberate deception of the press and courts in Ulster. The author also reveals many details including the events which lead up to the killing of eight IRA members in May 1987 in the village of Loughgall.

About this edition

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0571168094
• ISBN 13: 9780571168095
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304