Very few journalists knew Denis Donaldson as well as Tunis-born, French writer, Sorj Chalandon, a 27-year veteran of the left-wing daily Liberation and a prize-winning author of seven books.
One book which won him a prize – the Grand Prix du roman de l’Académie française – and which was short-listed for the prestigious Prix Goncourt, was ‘Return to Killybegs’, an account of an IRA man turned British spy – called Tyrone Meehan in the book – whose life is loosely based on Denis Donaldson’s own tragic voyage to that lonely cottage in Co Donegal.
Sorj Chalandon
I was greatly honored to be asked to write an afterword to ‘Killybegs’ and to share in the praise for Chalandon’s work. Like anyone reading this book I was of course curious to discover how the author explained his hero’s entry to the ranks of British intelligence agents but, as I did in my afterword, I won’t reveal it here. Those eager to know will have to buy the book.
Denis Donaldson with two friends
In the meantime I reproduce here the book cover and my afterword. Enjoy:
The Broken Elbow 
Pingback: How Was Denis Donaldson Recruited As A Spy? | seftonblog
no mick, that was a prequel of sorts published three years earlier…….
Ed, was this book also published as My Traitor?