'My business has stalled because I won't inform'

Derry man claims MI5 tried to recruit him
03 November 2009
A Derry man has claimed that his company has been placed in jeopardy by MI5 who offered to make his business happen only if he works with them. Ciaran Doherty of Northern Lites Limited is currently trying to open premises for a cigarette manufacturing company and claims that four applications to HM Revenue and Customs have been turned down.



He said that on each occasion they failed to outline any reasons or issue any formal notification of rejection. Mr. Doherty said he and his business partners have spent £500,000 on purchasing machinery for the plant. It is currently in storage. He believes the venture could create 350 jobs and £10-£15 million tax revenue annually.

He said that he was returning from a business trip last Tuesday evening when he was approached by MI5 as he attempted to board a flight at Luton airport.

Mr. Doherty said: "I was taken into a side room by a man calling himself 'Justin', who identified himself as MI5. He was able to tell me all about the history of my business and the troubles I've had with securing a licence for premises. "We have applied on four separate occasions for a licence for premises - twice for Derry, one in Tyrone and one in Newry. Each time we have been rejected without reasons being given. At one meeting the Customs and Revenue representative advised us against even applying to open a site in Derry."

According to Mr Doherty, 'Justin' claimed he was seeking information on a Cypriot business contact Mr Doherty had just met for the first time. "They told me he was the target of their investigation." Mr Doherty said his business partner, who's also from Derry, was recently approached at Schipol airport, Amsterdam. He was asked to help security services target dissident republicans in Derry.

"This is placing my entire business in danger," said Mr. Doherty. "The deal we done on Tuesday has probably fallen through as I had to inform the Cypriot in London that MI5 were enquiring about him. "I have to travel quite a bit sourcing materials - am I going to be stopped every time I do so?

"I am a legitimate businessman. I have notified HM Revenue and Customs every step of the way on this business venture - even Justin admitted that. However if I cannot get approval for premises I cannot trade, it is as simple as that."

When contacted by the Journal a spokesperson for HM Revenue and Customs said: "HMRC have requested further information in writing from (the applicant) in June and August 2009 but to date have received no reply to our request." Mr. Doherty agreed that this was the case but argued: "We have spoken to Customs about the information they have requested. It concerns accounting systems and they agreed that this would follow at a later stage. "This has only become an issue now, I think it is their get out clause. To be honest I believe the whole thing is a set-up in order to try and recruit informers," he claimed.