The Lieutenant of Inishmore

About the show

In Ireland in 1993, the Northern Ireland peace process is taking its faltering first steps. On the island of Inishmore, a middle aged man named Donny berates foolish teenager Davey for allegedly killing his cat, Wee Thomas, with his bike - although Davey claims innocence. Donny explains that he was only caring for the cat on behalf of his son Padraic. Padraic is an insane (so much so that he was considered too mad for the Irish Republican Army) Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) member known commonly as 'Mad Padraic' and loves Wee Tommy more than life itself so will cause carnage when he hears of his death. Despite his dismay, Donny forgives Davey after forcing a confession from him and miserably phones Padraic. Padraic receives the call while torturing a Belfast drug dealer named James, ready to cut his nipples off having already pulled off his toenails. When he hears that his beloved cat, Wee Thomas, is poorly, Padraic breaks down on the phone in front of James. James gives some advice on ringworm medication for the cat and promises not to sell drugs to kids any more. Padraic briefly suspects James of hoodwinking him to escape but ultimately unties him and gives him money for the bus to the hospital to inspect his potentially infected toes. Padraic then heads back home to the island of Inishmore, where he learns that Wee Thomas is not sick but has been killed and so is intent on revenge. It is then revealed that the cat was not killed by Davey but by two INLA members who did it to attract Padraic over to Inishmore so they could kill him as his madness makes him a liability. Padraic kills four people including them and two other cats before Wee Thomas is found alive and well; the first cat was mistaken for him. At this point only Donny and Davey are still alive and although annoyed at Wee Thomas for creating all this trouble, feed him cereal.