Potential Deportation of Former IRA Members from the US

Long-time residents in North America, including convicted IRA members, may be facing action from U.S. authorities. Gabriel Megahee, 82, has been living in New York for decades, but a letter from the Department of Homeland Security on June 20 indicated that his “parole” has ended after nearly 30 years. This was originally granted when he and other IRA associates were allowed to stay in the U.S.

Megahee shared the letter with the Irish Echo, which warned him, “Don’t try to stay illegal in the U.S. The federal government will find you. Leave the U.S. immediately.”

Originally from Belfast, Megahee was convicted in 1983 in Brooklyn Federal Court for conspiring to purchase a missile intended to shoot down a British helicopter during the violent period in Northern Ireland known as “The Troubles.”

At that time, federal officials regarded him as one of the “commanders” living in America and Canada. He had spoken extensively on the issue in interviews, including ones featured by PBS.

Megahee and three other co-defendants served five years in federal prison for their involvement in conspiracy and arms trafficking but were released in 1988 without being deported.

He, along with four other IRA members, was permitted to stay in the U.S. under the Good Friday Agreement, which was signed in April 1998 to bring an end to decades of conflict in Ireland.

Now, he appears to be one of several individuals, including grandfathers and great-grandfathers, who are alarmed after DHS indicated potential fines or criminal charges if they do not leave the country. Megahee, who has moved to Delaware, expressed concern about the repercussions.

In the letter, the DHS stated that his parole had officially ended. He expressed to Straus News his struggles with healthcare costs, saying, “It costs between $4,000 and $5,000 a month to pay for my medications. I can’t afford it. I have to go home.”

Both DHS and Megahee opted not to comment further on the situation.