Lighting Candles: A Paramilitary's War with Death, Drugs and Demons

David Leslie

May 2014 · Black & White Publishing

About this eBook

When Manny McDonnell was twelve, he awoke to discover British troops surrounding his home in the toughest area of trouble-torn Belfast. Internment had begun and, encouraged by a fiercely Republican mother, he took to the streets with other school kids, throwing bricks, bottles and petrol bombs at soldiers. Jailed at fifteen for having IRA links, he became a unit commander leading deadly missions for the INLA before joining the IPLO, a group so vicious even the IRA ordered it to disband. But his decades of commitment to a free united Ireland turned to disillusion when bombs indiscriminately killed two little boys in mainland Britain. It was a wake-up call and, sickened by the way events were unfolding, McDonnell distanced himself from the Troubles and began to spend more time in Scotland with major gangland players Paul Ferris and Tam 'The Licensee' McGraw. Friendly with both, he then faced difficult choices when the two fell out and became bitter rivals and sworn enemies. Lighting Candles is an astonishing and horrifying exposé of one man's journey through the blood, bombs and bullets of the paramilitaries to the criminal activities of drug-smuggling gangsters. It is also a story of how, no matter what has gone before, it's possible to put the past behind you and begin again.

Ratings and reviews

The story of this book in my opinion is about 70% made up. Manual Mcdonald (not Manny) was my family neighbour for along time. The stories told in this book are all fiction. Alot of people who were involved with him have told me and family members that what's been wrote is lies. I enjoyed the book but it's fiction at it's very best.

It's hard tp read what was actually happening during these troubled times. We only ever saw what the English media wanted us to see, so the whole story was never known. This book's story leads you on a journey of one mans path through it all.

A very interesting read. I have read about the troubles from both sides, and can't help thinking what a sad loss of lives on both sides. Manny has made a very good read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the war between Catholic's and Protestant's.

About the author

David Leslie was a senior journalist with the News of the World for over forty years, latterly as Scottish Crime Editor. He is the author of several books including Crimelord and The Happy Dust Gang. He has appeared in TV documentaries giving unique insights into notorious crimes and criminals and is a regular contributor to radio stations and newspapers.