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In the mid-1990s, authorities stormed a London apartment and detained Michael Gallagher for alleged IRA operations. His partner, an university lecturer specializing in scientific research, was stunned and angry.

She could not believe that her romantic partner – a former civil servant who supported homeless alcoholics – could be participating with Irish republican militants. He had previously amazed her by finishing a cryptic crossword in merely three minutes.

Legal Accusations

The accused was formally charged with conspiring to enable Irish republicans launch explosive assaults at a key transport hub in the mid-1990s. Although these actions led to no casualties, they created widespread disruption.

Attenborough raised money and campaign assistance to defend her boyfriend's lack of guilt. In spite of her campaign, he was found guilty of conspiring to cause explosions and received a lengthy imprisonment.

Aside from a handful of people, I didn’t really tell anybody,” she stated. “It was nothing I was particularly pleased with because he had deceived me.”

Admission of Guilt

Now, roughly three decades afterward, the pair are still together and have written together a publication that confirms Gallagher was, truly, responsible.

Gallagher had been a facilitator for the IRA who supported various missions, such as the Heathrow attack. Gallagher concealed the facts from his partner and only admitted after his guilty verdict, leaving her devastated.

Post-Release

Following Gallagher's liberation under the conditions of the Northern Ireland settlement, the couple settled to a remote area and started a online enterprise, which they still operate.

The publication, called Unbroken: Deception, Truth and Lasting Love, changes narratives between the pair and postpones the revelation of Gallagher's actions until post his sentencing.

I am certain Michael is not a terrible man, he is a truly decent man,” she said. “He simply didn’t put me first, and it is unclear if I view it as treachery. He didn’t intend it.”

Background and Relationship

They met in the mid-1980s through groups that supported UK mining strikers and demonstrated against racial segregation.

Attenborough, hailing from near Birmingham, held a PhD in theoretical science. He, from Glasgow, was an budding literary figure and former drinker.

He had Northern Irish roots and carried out errands for the IRA, handling lodging, logistics and identification for activists in Britain.

Uncovering the Lies

He kept secret his involvement from Attenborough, who supported Irish unification but opposed violent tactics.

“I’d made a commitment to the IRA and a pledge to Attenborough and I thought I was getting away with it – that I was able to do both,” Gallagher commented.

Law enforcement identified Gallagher as a individual under investigation who had been to a storage facility with remnants of incendiary substances. Authorities placed him under surveillance and eavesdropped on the residence for nearly 24 months, concluding in the surprise arrest at their London home on 28 October 1996.

Consequences and Thoughts

During over a year – during her prison visits and the court case in February 1998 – Gallagher kept his truth.

It was impossible I could tell her because if she knew at that time, she must have to inform her brother: ‘Stop arranging bail for Gallagher because he’s guilty,’” he said. “It was absolutely an terrible experience.”

The hope of escaping conviction maintained his fiction until the jury decided against him. Days later, when Attenborough visited to mention plans for an appeal, he revealed his actions.

“At first, I could not decide if to trust his words,” Attenborough said. “I considered, so, whose story of the facts was correct?”

Emotionally shaken, she considered leaving the partnership, but in subsequent visits she took Gallagher’s apologies and justified his clandestine activities.

Clearly I didn’t agree with this involvement with the IRA. However, it was not that big a role that he had.”

Final Revelations

While the creation of their memoir, he disclosed one more long-hidden truth to his companion: when he speedily finished the puzzle in the publication of a periodical, he had previously solved it in his own copy.