82-Year-Old Convicted in IRA Plot DEPORTED

An 82-year-old convicted IRA terrorist, Gabriel Megahey, who has lived in the U.S. for decades under parole despite a deportation order, now faces imminent removal by the Department of Homeland Security, raising serious questions about justice, immigration enforcement, and national security priorities.

At a Glance

• Gabriel Megahey, convicted in 1983 for conspiring to smuggle missiles to the IRA, faces deportation after more than 40 years in the U.S.
• The Department of Homeland Security terminated Megahey’s parole in July 2025, triggering deportation proceedings.
• The case highlights U.S. enforcement of immigration laws against convicted terrorists, even decades later.
• The deportation raises political and social questions about the legacy of The Troubles and immigration policy enforcement.

The Long Arm of Justice Reaches an Aging IRA Terrorist

Gabriel Megahey, an Irish national convicted in 1983 for conspiring to purchase surface-to-air missiles for the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), is now being deported from the United States at the age of 82. Despite a standing deportation order following his conviction, Megahey lived in the U.S. under parole for over four decades. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently terminated that parole, initiating his removal from the country. This development comes after a 1982 FBI sting operation disrupted a significant arms smuggling plot targeting British forces during the violent conflict known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Feds move to deport 82-year-old convicted IRA terrorist after decades in the United States https://t.co/grc3FuuFZN pic.twitter.com/dklwHGQU4D

— New York Post (@nypost) July 26, 2025

This case starkly reminds us that the government can and should enforce immigration laws, especially against those convicted of terrorism-related offenses. The fact that Megahey, a convicted arms smuggler for a terrorist organization, has been allowed to remain in the U.S. for decades under parole is an insult to law-abiding citizens and victims of IRA violence alike. It exposes the failures of previous administrations to uphold the rule of law and protect American sovereignty.

Background: The IRA, Arms Smuggling, and U.S. Involvement

The Troubles, spanning from the late 1960s to 1998, was a brutal sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland involving violent campaigns by the Provisional IRA, which sought to end British rule and unify Ireland. The IRA frequently used armed tactics including bombings and shootings against British security forces and civilians. In this context, the U.S. became a hub for IRA arms smuggling networks, with organizations like NORAID funneling money and weapons to the cause. Megahey was identified as the IRA’s leader in the U.S. and convicted alongside associates for conspiring to export missiles and assault rifles intended to attack British helicopters.

His arrest in 1982 came as part of a major FBI operation that thwarted the acquisition of five surface-to-air missiles, weapons that could have caused devastating damage. Megahey’s conviction at Brooklyn Federal Court in 1983 was a significant blow to IRA logistics on American soil.

It is worth noting that the U.S. government’s cooperation with the British to crack down on IRA support networks was a key aspect of counterterrorism during that era. Yet, despite the conviction and deportation order, Megahey remained in the country for decades, an example of how immigration enforcement can be lax or politically complicated.

Current Developments: Deportation After Decades of Parole

In July 2025, the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice terminating Megahey’s parole, signaling the start of deportation proceedings. At 82 years old, Megahey now faces removal from the United States, a move that has not been publicly contested by him or his representatives as far as available information shows.

The termination of parole after such an extended period raises questions about why this enforcement action was delayed for so long. It also underscores the Trump administration’s renewed commitment to strict immigration enforcement and removal of noncitizens who have committed serious crimes, aligning with broader efforts to restore law and order and prioritize American citizens’ interests[1].

This case is emblematic of the administration’s broader immigration agenda, which includes expanding expedited removal nationwide and cracking down on illegal immigration, especially by those with criminal backgrounds. It is a clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate harboring convicted terrorists or criminals regardless of how long they have been in the country.

Implications for Immigration Policy and National Security

The deportation of Megahey, a convicted terrorist now in his eighties, sends a strong signal that the U.S. government intends to enforce immigration laws consistently and across the board. It also shines a spotlight on the legacy of The Troubles and how the U.S. dealt with politically sensitive cases involving foreign militants.

For conservative Americans who have long watched with frustration as illegal immigration and leniency for criminals erode national security and constitutional order, this enforcement action is a welcome step. It shows the government prioritizing the safety and sovereignty of the United States over misguided political correctness or international pressure.

However, this case also stirs debate in some Irish-American communities where certain groups regard former IRA members as political prisoners rather than terrorists. Still, those views do not change the reality that arms smuggling and conspiracy to support terrorism are serious crimes with lasting consequences. The victims of IRA violence and their families deserve justice, no matter how delayed.

Looking ahead, this move could set a precedent for handling deportations of aging former militants or others with historical ties to violent foreign conflicts. It underscores the principle that immigration law enforcement will not turn a blind eye to serious offenses, even decades old.

Expert Opinions and Legal Perspectives

Legal experts emphasize the broad authority DHS has in enforcing deportation orders for individuals convicted of terrorism-related crimes, regardless of age or time elapsed. This case also reflects the enduring cooperation between the U.S. and UK on counterterrorism, which remains critical given ongoing global security challenges.

Historians and scholars note that the crackdown on IRA arms smuggling in the 1980s was a turning point to stem violence and reduce the international reach of the IRA. The prolonged parole of Megahey may reflect past political complexities, but the current enforcement aligns with common-sense immigration policy and national security priorities.

Ultimately, the story of Gabriel Megahey is a reminder that laws must be upheld, criminals must be held accountable, and the safety of American citizens must come first. The Biden administration’s lax approach is now a bad memory under the Trump administration’s firm hand in 2025.

Sources:

Reagan Library Document on IRA Arms Smuggling

AOL News: Feds Move to Deport 82-year-old Convicted IRA Terrorist

Federal Court Records on Conviction

CIA Archive Document on IRA Activities