By Michele Canning Smith

A Strabane man says he is living in fear of his life after being approached to become an informer for the PSNI.

Martin McColgan, who just returned to live in the town eighteen months ago, spoke to the Strabane Chronicle this week to make public his case.

The 46 year old said the first approach was made soon after he returned to live in his hometown and there have been 12 such contacts made since then.

He broke his silence on Saturday night when he told a friend, who then contacted a member of his family.

Since the weekend, Mr McColgan has contacted a local priest. That priest, he claims, had already been contacted by an 'organisation' to inform him of the case.

It is understood by the local man that the organisation has given an assurance that he is 'safe'.

There has been a claim that Martin received money but he has denied this, adding that he has 'sworn on the bible.'

He claimed that six weeks after returning he was arrested for drink-driving but was released without charge. Sometime after that his flat was raided and it was at this stage he was approached to become an informer.

He said one policeman keyed a telephone number into his mobile under the assumed name of a 'David Kelly', which was to be his point of contact.

"They said that they knew I drank in two certain bars in the town and that I must know people. They wanted any information I could give them and said they would pay me.

"They asked about dissident republican groups, certain individuals and members of my family.

"I told them that I am a Republican and not a 'tout.' They have contacted me 12 times since then. They even sent a taxi from Limavady. The driver came to the door and said there was a taxi for me from 'David Kelly'."

He said the last time any contact was made some two months ago.

Mr McColgan is adamant that he has not passed any information onto the PSNI.

He now wants the situation highlighted publicly and said he intends to contact a solicitor.

"The priest told us that he had already been contacted by someone who claimed to represent 'an organisation' but they said that I am safe.

"The situation has really got out of hand and I want to get this sorted as I am afraid."