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Sinn Fein driver revealed as spy Sinn Fein driver revealed as spy
(30 minutes later)
A former driver for senior members of Sinn Fein has been revealed to be an informer for the security services.A former driver for senior members of Sinn Fein has been revealed to be an informer for the security services.
It is understood that Roy McShane, who comes from west Belfast, left Northern Ireland on Friday. It is understood Roy McShane, from west Belfast, left Northern Ireland on Friday and entered protective custody.
He was one of a number of drivers who worked with Gerry Adams and other senior Sinn Fein members for several years. He was one of a number of drivers who worked with Gerry Adams and other senior members. He may have been working for MI5 and not the police.
It is understood Mr McShane, who is now in protective custody, may have been working for MI5 and not the police. Sinn Fein said Mr McShane had been under suspicion for some time and been sidelined.
According to BBC NI home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney, as a driver, he would have been in a position to overhear potentially sensitive discussions about Sinn Fein strategy and would have been viewed as a valuable source of intelligence. BBC NI home affairs correspondent Vincent Kearney said, as a driver, the agent would have been in a position to overhear potentially sensitive discussions about Sinn Fein strategy and would have been viewed as a valuable source of intelligence.
The party insisted that Mr McShane was not privy to any sensitive information and "had been suspected as an informer for a number of years". Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said that Mr McShane had been asked by his family about rumours that he was an informant, and confirmed them.
In a statement, Sinn Fein said it was disappointed but not surprised by the development. Mr Maskey said that he doubted if his role as a driver would have made him party to sensitive information.
The party said the driver had never been a member of the party and added that he was "not under any threat from republicans". "I think that you would expect our senior members, particularly if they are on sensitive business, that discussions would be held with the relevant people and would not be spoken about openly," he said.
The South Belfast MLA said Mr McShane was under no threat from republicans, but had to make his "own peace" with his family.
"He's safe, let's face it the war is over, I see him under no threat at all from republicans," he said.