The Spy Who The Spy Who Jailed the Omagh Bomb Plotter | The Reaping | 3
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Jan 20, 2026 A tense undercover operation unfolds as David Rupert navigates the dangerous world of the Real IRA. The stakes rise dramatically after a mistaken delivery puts him at risk of exposure. As the Real IRA escalate their campaign, MI5 and the FBI clash over strategies to secure evidence and thwart their plans. Rupert's covert actions lead to high-stakes stings and haunting courtroom confrontations, culminating in the arrest of a key figure. The podcast captures the perilous balance between espionage and personal safety, revealing the lasting consequences of undercover work.
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Wrong Disc, Near Fatal Mistake
- David Rupert accidentally handed an IRA assassin a disc containing MI5 notes and panicked afterward.
- He arranged a casual handover at a Worcester Holiday Inn to retrieve the disc and prayed Smith's new girlfriend would distract him.
Infiltration Demands Personal Risk
- The operation balanced deep infiltration with acute personal risk for the agent.
- Rupert repeatedly feared losing McKevitt's protection would lead to his execution.
Cash Drops And A Foreign Sponsor
- Rupert handed McKevitt envelopes of cash during meetings in Dundalk to maintain cover.
- McKevitt privately admitted they needed a state sponsor to scale attacks and mentioned Saddam Hussein as an example.
