Man at centre of kidnap storm is now a Christian

antrim | miscellaneous | other press Sunday December 04, 2005 17:37 by FFS

It must be Xmas or something!

One of Ireland most infamous paramilitaries has become a born-again Christian.
Belfast man Bobby Tohill, who was at the centre of an alleged IRA kidnap storm which rocked in the peace process in February 2004, says he is now dedicating his life to helping the poor and homeless.

According to Daily Ireland:

The 46-year-old has joined Belfast’s Calvary Christian Centre and spends his nights travelling through the city centre giving out free hot meals to the destitute.
Tohill’s new life is a far cry from his days as a notorious paramilitary.
In a military career spanning three decades, Tohill was a teenage member of the IRA, before defecting to the INLA and then aligning himself with elements of the Real IRA.
He has been jailed on numerous occasions, shot six times during an internal INLA feud, and admits involvement in several Troubles-related killings.
A book is due to be published next year chronicling his chaotic life. The contents of the book have been the subject of much tabloid newspaper speculation.
Last weekend a Sunday newspaper claimed the book would reveal details about the IRA’s 1972 Bloody Friday bombings and the 1978 La Mon hotel bombing which claimed 21 lives.
Tohill was quoted as saying he is going to lift the lid on these attacks.
However, he contacted Daily Ireland yesterday to deny this is the case and talk about his new life away from paramilitarism.
“All these articles that have appeared in different newspapers saying I’m going to blow the lid on different IRA operations are nonsense,” said Tohill.
“I was 12 years old when Bloody Friday occurred – what sort of information could I possibly have on what happened that day?
“The same goes for La Mon. I was in jail in Dublin on motoring offences when the hotel was blown up. I know nothing about who was involved or what happened.”
Tohill said recent newspaper revelations, which he described as “rubbish”, have led him to consider pulling the plug on the book about his life.
He added: “I don’t know if it’s worth the hassle. I have given lengthy interviews with the authors, but I want to stress that any republican’s name I have mentioned is either dead or has been convicted for an offence. I haven’t incriminated anyone.”
Tohill believes he has been the target of media reports because of his high-profile and paramilitary background.
He said: “Journalists are making up stories about me because they know they can get away with it.
“I just want to be left alone. That doesn’t mean I’m afraid of anyone – it means that I just want to get on with my life.
“I’m a born again Christian now and I’m dedicating my life to helping others.
“I totally regret my involvement in paramilitarism and the hurt that I have caused others. As far as I am concerned the conflict should have ended 20 years ago,” said Tohill.
“I support the peace process and just want to enjoy the future with my family in Belfast and my children in Dublin.”