Michael Collins was a pivotal figure in the Irish struggle for independence and his legacy has resonated ever since. Whilst Collins' role as a guerrilla leader and intelligence operative is well documented, his actions as the clandestine Irish government Minister of Finance have been less studied. The book analyses how funds were raised and transferred in order that the IRA could initiate and sustain the military struggle, and lay the financial foundations of an Irish state.

Nicholas Ridley examines the legacy of these actions by comparing Collins' modus operandi for raising and transferring clandestine funds to those of more modern groups engaged in political violence, as well as the laying of foundations for Irish financial and fiscal regulation.

About the Author

Nicholas Ridley is Senior Lecturer in Policing and Security at London Metropolitan University. He has previously worked as an Intelligence Analyst at New Scotland Yard, Criminal Intelligence Department and Anti-Terrorist Unit and at Europol.He has been a trainer in intelligence and anti-terrorism for police forces in Africa, and has lectured on combating terrorist financing on courses at NATO Centre of Excellence - Defence against Terrorism.

Reviews

"The comparative analysis of terrorist financing will be of value to both practitioners and academics."

Dr Anthony Richard, Reader in Criminology University of East London

"It has become somewhat twee to speak of the need to inform present day actions by referring to the historical past. However, as Dr Ridley ably demonstrates, through his comprehensive and lucid analysis of Michael Collins, there is clearly a great deal to learn about the characteristics and mitigation of modern day terrorist financing from an exploration of the life of arguably one of its earliest proponents."

Professor Rob McCusker, De Montfort University

"The historical account is fascinating, the analysis of insurgency financing invaluable"

Professor Chizu Nakajima, Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London

Book Information
ISBN 9780367348984
Author Nicholas Ridley
Format Paperback
Page Count 222
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g