Patrick Ryan, the former Catholic priest known as the ‘Terror Priest,’ has died at the age of 94, marking the end of a controversial chapter in Irish history. Ryan was a key figure in the 1970s and 1980s, during which he played a central role in supporting the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He funneled substantial sums of money and weapons to the IRA from Libya, significantly contributing to its operations. His actions were part of a broader network of support that enabled the IRA’s activities, including bombings that targeted political figures such as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, resulting in casualties and widespread unrest.
According to his biographer, Jennifer O’Leary, Ryan was one of the IRA’s most significant intermediaries for financial support. His involvement in these activities has been the subject of numerous investigations and historical analyses, with many considering him a pivotal figure in the organization’s ability to sustain its campaigns. Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Ryan’s legacy remains a topic of debate, with some viewing him as a dedicated revolutionary and others as a terrorist financier. His death at 94 brings to a close a life that was deeply entwined with the political and violent struggles of his time, leaving behind a complex and polarizing historical record.