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During the mid-1990s, law enforcement raided a London residence and arrested Michael Gallagher for alleged Irish Republican Army activities. His partner, an English academic working in mathematical physics, was shocked and outraged.

Attenborough found it impossible to accept that her intellectual partner – a former civil servant who helped homeless alcoholics – was involved with Irish republican militants. He had even amazed her by finishing a difficult puzzle in just three minutes.

Court Case

Gallagher was prosecuted with conspiring to enable Irish republicans fire bombings at Heathrow Airport in 1994. While these attacks led to no loss of life, they created significant security concerns.

Attenborough mustered money and campaign assistance to proclaim her partner's non-involvement. Despite her campaign, Gallagher was found guilty of involvement in explosive devices and received a 20-year jail term.

Aside from a few of individuals, I barely tell anyone,” she commented. “It wasn’t something I was happy about because he had misled me.”

The Confession

Currently, roughly three decades following the events, the pair are still a couple and have co-written a book that confirms Gallagher was, truly, guilty.

He had been an IRA fixer who supported several actions, including the airport incident. He kept secret the facts from his partner and just confessed following his guilty verdict, making Attenborough shocked.

After Incarceration

Subsequent to his freedom under the conditions of the Northern Ireland settlement, the partners moved to rural County Donegal and established a online enterprise, which they still operate.

The memoir, named Unbroken: Deception, Truth and Lasting Love, changes viewpoints between the both and delays the admission of Gallagher's involvement until following his trial.

I believe Gallagher is not a bad individual, he is a fundamentally good individual,” she stated. “He just didn’t put me first, and it is unclear whether I see that as treachery. It was not his purpose.”

Past and Partnership

They first encountered each other in the mid-1980s through organizations that aided UK mining strikers and protested against the apartheid regime.

Attenborough, from near Birmingham, held a advanced degree in academic research. He, from Glasgow, was an budding literary figure and someone overcoming addiction.

He had ancestral ties and performed occasional jobs for republican groups, handling accommodation, logistics and identification for republican operatives in England.

Truth Emerges

He concealed his activities from his partner, who favored Irish unification but disapproved of violent tactics.

I had given a vow to the organization and a pledge to Mary and I thought I was getting away with it – I could to manage both,” Gallagher commented.

Police identified him as a person of interest who had been to a warehouse with remnants of explosives. Authorities watched his movements and eavesdropped on the apartment for a lengthy period, concluding in the early morning police action at their London home on October 28, 1996.

Later Realizations

During many months – including her trips to see him and the court case in early 1998 – Gallagher maintained his truth.

It was impossible inform her because if she knew back then, she must have to tell her brother: ‘Don’t bother arranging guarantees for Gallagher because he is involved,’” he explained. “It was really an terrible period.”

The chance of escaping conviction sustained his false story until the court ruled he was responsible. Days later, when Attenborough met with him to talk about further court actions, he revealed his guilt.

“At first, I was uncertain if to accept his admission,” Attenborough remembered. “I thought, well, whose story of the truth was correct?”

Emotionally shaken, she thought about ending the relationship, but in future encounters she agreed to Gallagher’s explanations and understood his clandestine activities.

Clearly I disapproved with his participation with the IRA. But on the other hand, it was not that big a role that he performed.”

Last Disclosures

During the writing of their publication, he shared one more long-hidden truth to his Attenborough: when he rapidly finished the word game in the newspaper of a newspaper, he had already completed it in a different version.