Perfect for readers of Say Nothing, Black Mass, and Paddy Whacked
“Even as he chases someone with a rifle through South Boston, he’s the sort of guy you want to root for. . .” — The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune
** 20th Anniversary Edition ** A Boston Globe Bestseller **
A Criminal and an Irishman is the story of Pat Nee’s life as an Irish immigrant and Southie son, a combat marine in Vietnam and convicted IRA gun smuggler, and a former rival-turned-associate of James “Whitey” Bulger. His narrative transports readers into the criminal underworld, taking them inside preparation for armored car heists, gang wars, and revenge killings.
Nee details his evolution from tough street kid to armed robber to dangerous potential killer, disclosing how he used his underworld connections as a secret operative for the Irish Republican Army.
For years, Pat smuggled weapons and money from the United States to Ireland — in the bottoms of coffins, behind false panels of vans — leading up to a transatlantic shipment of 7 ½ tons of munitions aboard the fishing trawler Valhalla. No other Southie underworld figure can match Pat’s reputation for resolve and authenticity.
Author
Patrick Nee
At fourteen Patrick Nee became associated with the gang that would later battle Whitey Bulger for rights to Southie’s criminal activities. A Marine veteran of Vietnam, Pat helped the Irish Republican Army smuggle money, guns, and munitions out of the United States. He served nearly two years in prison for the Valhalla smuggling operation, received early parole, then promptly attempted to rob an armored car in order to raise funds for the IRA. He served nine years for this later conviction, and today he works as a day laborer and spends time with his two daughters and grandchildren. He lives in South Boston.
Learn More about Patrick NeeAuthor
Richard Farrell
Richard Farrell won the du Pont—Columbia Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism for his film High on Crack Street. He covered the war in Bosnia, has directed several award-winning films, and has written articles for the Boston Globe and numerous other publications. He lives in southern New Hampshire.
Learn More about Richard Farrell