For this episode I spoke with Ronan McGreevy, co-author of the recently released book "The Kidnapping", which focuses on the doomed ransom kidnapping attempt on businessman Don Tidey.

We discussed the IRA's various methods of fund-raising  during the troubles and their history of ransom-kidnaps. Ronan told me about how Tidey was selected as the target, how the IRA Maze prison break feed into the kidnapping and the role that infamous agent Freddie Scappaticci "Stakeknife" played in Tidey's rescue.

00:00 Intro
2:13 IRA’s fundraising efforts during the conflict 
9:15 Maze prison break 
14:15 Recent Gerry Kelly libel case and Gerry Adams mention in the book
17:45 How and why was Don Tidey selected ?
20:10 THE KIDNAPPING  
24:10 Deaths during rescue
27:20 The 4-man kidnap team 
29:05 Freddie Scap. (STAKEKNIFE) involvement & garda/army’s ability to deal with the IRA
35:00 Any more ransom-kidnappings after Don Tidey’s ?