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During the mid-1990s, police raided a British home and took into custody Michael Gallagher accused of Irish Republican Army involvement. His girlfriend, an university lecturer focused in mathematical physics, was astonished and outraged.

Attenborough could not believe that her romantic boyfriend – a ex-government worker who assisted those in need – was involved with Irish republican militants. Gallagher had even won over her by solving a cryptic crossword in only three minutes.

The Charges

Gallagher was indicted with working to help the IRA fire mortar attacks at Heathrow Airport in the mid-1990s. Although the incidents resulted in no loss of life, they produced major disruption.

She mustered money and backing from others to proclaim her boyfriend's innocence. In spite of the support, Gallagher was sentenced of plotting bomb attacks and received a 20-year jail term.

“Other than a few of people, I didn’t really inform anyone,” Attenborough commented. “It was nothing I was that proud of because Gallagher had lied to me.”

Revealing the Truth

Now, nearly three decades later, the pair are still in a relationship and have co-written a book that confirms Gallagher was, actually, guilty.

He had been a facilitator for the IRA who supported several actions, among them the Heathrow attack. He kept secret the facts from Attenborough and only admitted following his sentencing, making her stunned.

Post-Release

Subsequent to Gallagher's release under the conditions of the Northern Ireland settlement, the pair settled to rural County Donegal and set up a web development business, which they continue to run.

Their book, called Unbroken: Secrets, Lies and Enduring Love, changes viewpoints between the two and delays the revelation of his actions until following his trial.

“I know Gallagher isn’t a evil man, he’s a fundamentally good individual,” she stated. “Merely didn’t put me first, and it is unclear whether I view it as treachery. He didn’t intend it.”

Past and Partnership

They first encountered each other in 1985 through groups that backed Britain’s striking coal miners and protested against racial segregation.

She, from Walsall, held a advanced degree in academic research. He, of Scottish origin, was an hopeful author and someone overcoming addiction.

Gallagher had ancestral ties and performed occasional jobs for republican groups, arranging accommodation, travel and paperwork for republican operatives in England.

Truth Emerges

Gallagher hid his activities from Attenborough, who favored Irish political unity but rejected violent tactics.

I had given a vow to the IRA and a pledge to Attenborough and I assumed I could manage both – it was possible to handle each,” he said.

Law enforcement singled out Gallagher as a suspect who had been to a warehouse with remnants of explosives. Authorities monitored him and eavesdropped on the couple’s home for nearly 24 months, concluding in the early morning police action at their London residence on that autumn day.

Consequences and Thoughts

For 16 months – including her meetings in jail and the court case in the late 1990s – he maintained his involvement.

I could not share with her because if she knew at that time, she would have had to tell my sister: ‘Do not trouble yourselves seeking guarantees for Gallagher because he’s guilty,’” Gallagher stated. “That was truly an difficult experience.”

The hope of avoiding a guilty verdict sustained his deception until the tribunal ruled he was responsible. Soon afterward, when Attenborough visited to mention possible legal challenges, he confided his guilt.

“At first, I didn’t even know whether to believe him,” Attenborough said. “I wondered, then, what account of the reality ought I believe?”

Distraught, she contemplated leaving the relationship, but in subsequent visits she accepted his explanations and rationalised his secret actions.

Naturally I disapproved with this involvement with the organization. However, it was not that big a role that he performed.”

Additional Secrets

In the authorship of their memoir, he revealed a further decades-old secret to his Attenborough: when he speedily finished the word game in the publication of the Guardian, he had previously solved it in his own copy.