Ed Moloney

Edmund "Ed" Moloney (born 1948–9) is an Irish journalist and author best known for his coverage of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the activities of the Provisional IRA, in particular.

He worked for the Hibernia magazine and Magill before going on to serve as Northern Ireland editor for The Irish Times and subsequently for the Sunday Tribune. He is currently living and working in New York City. His first book, Paisley, was a biography of Unionist leader Ian Paisley, co-authored by Andy Pollak, and published in 1986.

In 2002, he published a best selling history of the Provisional IRA, A Secret History of the IRA.[1] A second edition of the book was published in July 2007. This was followed, in 2008, by a new edition of Paisley: From Demagogue to Democrat?, of which Moloney is the single author.[2]

In 1999, he was voted Irish Journalist of the Year.[3] In March 2010, the book Voices from the Grave was published, which featured interviews with Brendan Hughes and David Ervine, compiled by researchers for Boston College. He based the book on the interviews given by Hughes and Ervine. Excerpts from the book published by The Sunday Times relate to Hughes discussing his role and that of Gerry Adams in the PIRA.

Events recorded in the book include both men's actions in regards to the disappearance of Jean McConville and others, Bloody Friday, and the sourcing of IRA weapons, among other details of Hughes' IRA career.[4] In October 2010, Irish broadcaster RTÉ aired an 83-minute television documentary co-produced by Moloney based on Voices from the Grave. In February 2011, Voices From the Grave won the best television documentary prize at the annual Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs).

The killing of Pat Finucane

On 27 June 1999, Moloney published a story based on his 1990 interviews he had with UDA quartermaster Billy Stobie. Stobie claimed that, in a separate incident, the Special Branch had framed him by planting guns at his home. He related his version of the circumstances of Pat Finucane's death to be published as assurance should anything untoward happen to him. The account was published when, as part of the Stevens Enquiry Stobie was arrested and charged with Finucane's murder.[5]

Moloney refused to comply with a court order that he should give to the police notes he had made during the interviews.[6] He faced jail or heavy fines but, in October 1999, Lord Chief Justice Sir Robert Carswell ruled at the High Court in Belfast that the judge had been mistaken in ordering Moloney to turn over his notes to the police.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Ed Moloney, A Secret History of the IRA, W.W. Norton & Company; reprinted November 17, 2003; ISBN 0393325024/ISBN 978-0393325027
  2. ↑ Ed Moloney, Paisley: From Demagogue to Democrat?, Dublin: Poolbeg Press Ltd. (February 26, 2008); ISBN 1842233246/ISBN 978-1842233245
  3. ↑ Moloney, A Secret History of the IRA, last page of the second edition.
  4. ↑ "Gerry Adams and me".
  5. ↑ Ed Moloney, Northern Editor, Sunday Tribune, "The Murder of Pat Finucane and how the RUC could have stopped it", 27 June 1999.
  6. ↑ The Guardian, "Media: Life vs liberty Reporter Ed Moloney has a tough decision to make" 23 August 1999
  7. ↑ The Sun, "Victory for hero journo Ed", 28 October 1999.
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