My Authors note in " Where Demons Dread "

AUTHOR'S NOTE
I care not if I live but a day and a night,
so long as my deeds live after me.

Cú Chulainns motto.
James Joyce, Ulysses. 

From a very young age human behaviour, action and reaction have always interested me and what better place to feed that first thirst than the schoolyard. School was my secret laboratory, a place to subconsciously study my minuscule world and everything and everyone in it. For many like me the schoolyard was the first microscope into the porthole of human moulding, conduct and deeds. It was also my Irish Colosseum, where pint-size gladiators battled it out with threats and scraps and where my bloodthirsty “Lord of the Flies” classmates always relished that very spectacle.
I was on many occasions that child-size gladiator in the arena, defending myself in front of the ruling mob for no offence other than being a loner and a little different. With blood in my eyes and the sweat of battle on my brow, I would often pause for a moment in the middle of the melee to gaze at the faces of the assembled teeth baring wolf pack and think… Why do they love this shit so much? Is this what my life and future will be all about?
Looking back, I know now I was born solely for this activity. I never got to understand about life from books. My learning was punctuated by harsh in yer face reality.
I had to learn for real in the schoolyard and on the Dublin streets the true nature of survival. My school was my jungle to explore, from bullies and gangs to individuals such as myself, whose learning mind existed way beyond the teachers brick-in-the-wall grasp. I was eventually left alone in the schoolyard because I knew how to take care of myself and therein I willingly became a guardian to other kids who were being bullied and victimised.
I never followed the gang rule but stuck steadfast to my principles and discoveries. Famous film stars or television celebrities didn’t inspire me. I was inspired and motivated by great adventurers and the surroundings I was raised in. Tough environments breed cunning operators; little did I know my childhood surroundings would greatly influence and assist my future.
By the time I stood sternly in my first pair of army issued boots, I was already a tested and survivable soldier with nothing to prove to anyone, only myself. For me now violence was no longer an emotional activity but rather a rational and organised tool of my new profession.
My fascination with the actions of people in regards to violence, motivation and crime, grew in tandem with my years and experiences. I became very interested in politics, war, revolutionaries, insurrection, policing and leadership during times of peace and conflict.
Growing up in Ireland means you grow up with four separate seasons in one day: snow, rain, wind and sunshine. Although my glass is always half full, I reckon this climatic unpredictability prepares Irishmen and women naturally for a military career, as we expect the worst and anything else becomes a bonus during planning and operational stages. Studying individuals and groups from my early childhood really helped develop my career. It became second nature for me spotting who the adversaries were, how they organised themselves into groups and their modes of operation.
However, even to this day I believe the most important part of the puzzle in understanding terrorism and how horrific a crime it is, is… the Why.
Why are terrorists highly motivated to kill, wound or maim in the name of politics, religion or criminal gain? If we continue to bury our heads in the sand and don’t learn from the Why, then this inevitable terrorising onslaught of men, women and children will reoccur over and over again.
I always felt my purpose was to protect others and I knew this calling was greater than me and my safe family environment. I constantly had an inner need and drive to protect people and in doing so – yes - I would have had to utilise violence to defeat violent intent and actions. I would spend much time watching the watchers, who were in fact watching individuals and groups, gathering surveillance before they planned their attacks and thus learning from them.
This allowed me to defeat my opponents with their own techniques and tactics.
I took my hard-earned skills to many armed forces and police personnel around the world, who I have had the great honour of working with. Within this book I have given some examples of the tactics, techniques and strategies I have deployed, which may be of some assistance to the leaders and protectors of tomorrow who may some day face similar challenges.
My hope is that readers will learn how to better protect themselves, their families and communities.
Although I am writing this book in an effort to accurately describe my past real-world events as they occurred in my life thus far, it is important to me that no classified information is released. I’ve changed the names of all the individuals concerned to protect their identities and this book does not include details of any current training or operations around the world. When I refer to other military, police or government organisations, activities or agencies, I do so in the interest of continuity and generally only if another publication or official unclassified document has already mentioned the topic. In all other cases I have intentionally depersonalised some narratives to maintain the anonymity of the individuals concerned. The material content contained and depicted within “Where Demons Dread” is based on my own first-hand experiences, history and memory. I have in some cases generalised dates, times and order of actions. None of these fix-arounds affect the accuracy of my recollections or my description of how some proceedings unfolded. Some of the terrorist’s deeds and atrocities outlined in this book have been written about in numerous other publications and are available in open sources to the general public. These open-source certifications are printed in the confirming bibliography/sources list at the end of this book.
The events and recollections have been reconstructed from my memories. I have done my utmost to ensure the stories herein are accurate. If there are inaccuracies within, the responsibility is mine. This book presents my views and my views alone. Nothing written here is intended to confirm or deny, officially or unofficially, any events outlined or the activities of any individuals, governments or otherwise.
Finally, it wasn’t a hard decision to make to write this book, for if some information contributes to the education and awareness and thus the saving of one innocent life, then every word on every page was damn well worth it.

Go raibh maith agat,
Noel G. Whelan
September, 2015.