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During the mid-1990s, police entered a British residence and arrested Michael Gallagher accused of IRA activities. His girlfriend, an scholar specializing in geophysical software, was stunned and outraged.

Attenborough could not believe that her romantic boyfriend – a one-time public employee who helped people with addiction issues – was involved with the IRA. He had even impressed her by completing a difficult puzzle in just three minutes.

Legal Accusations

Gallagher was prosecuted with conspiring to assist Irish republicans launch explosive assaults at a key transport hub in the mid-1990s. While the incidents resulted in no loss of life, they created significant chaos.

She mustered financial support and public support to defend her partner's non-involvement. In spite of her campaign, he was convicted of conspiring to cause explosions and handed a lengthy jail term.

With the exception of a handful of others, I hardly inform others,” she commented. “It was not a matter I was happy about because Gallagher had lied to me.”

Admission of Guilt

Now, nearly many years afterward, the pair remain together and have written together a memoir that reveals Michael was, actually, guilty.

Gallagher had been a facilitator for the IRA who helped multiple operations, including the 1994 mortar launch. Gallagher hid the reality from his partner and merely confessed following his guilty verdict, leaving her shocked.

Post-Release

Subsequent to Gallagher's release under the conditions of the 1998 Good Friday agreement, the partners moved to rural County Donegal and set up a digital company, which they continue to run.

The memoir, named Unbroken: Deception, Truth and Lasting Love, switches narratives between the two and delays the revelation of Gallagher's guilt until following his trial.

I believe Michael isn’t a evil person, he is a truly decent man,” Attenborough remarked. “He just failed to prioritize me, and I am uncertain whether I see that as betrayal. He had no malicious intent.”

Background and Relationship

The couple first encountered each other in 1985 through groups that aided UK mining strikers and protested against the apartheid regime.

She, from near Birmingham, held a PhD in theoretical science. Gallagher, of Scottish origin, was an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic.

Gallagher had Northern Irish roots and carried out tasks for the IRA, arranging housing, travel and paperwork for activists in Britain.

The Deception Revealed

Gallagher hid his activities from Attenborough, who favored Irish unification but opposed IRA methods.

“I’d made a vow to the organization and a vow to Attenborough and I thought I could keep it hidden – it was possible to handle each,” he commented.

Security forces recognized him as a individual under investigation who had visited a building with evidence of explosives. They monitored him and bugged the couple’s home for nearly 24 months, ending in the surprise arrest at their Earl’s Court residence on 28 October 1996.

Aftermath and Reflection

For 16 months – during her trips to see him and the legal proceedings in the late 1990s – Gallagher kept his secret.

“There was no way share with her because had I told her at that time, she would have been obliged to notify my sister: ‘Stop seeking sureties for Michael because he admitted it,’” Gallagher stated. “That was really an terrible experience.”

The hope of being found not guilty maintained his false story until the tribunal decided against him. Days later, when she came to see him to talk about further court actions, he admitted his guilt.

In the beginning, I didn’t even know if to believe him,” she recalled. “I thought, so, whose story of the facts ought I believe?”

Emotionally shaken, she contemplated leaving the relationship, but in future encounters she accepted Gallagher’s explanations and rationalised his hidden involvement.

Clearly I disapproved with these actions with the organization. But on the other hand, it wasn’t that big a role that he performed.”

Last Disclosures

While the writing of their book, Gallagher shared one more past deception to his Attenborough: when he quickly completed the crossword in the newspaper of the Guardian, he had already completed it in a different version.