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Background
Christy McCaven was born in Drogheda (near Dublin) October 15th 1910.
The son of a teamster (Declan), Christy and his older brothers (Sean and Michael) apprenticed in the docks virtually as soon as they were strong enough to carry.
With the death of Mary McCaven in 1920, the family collapsed – Declan turning increasingly to drink and violence, eventually driving the older boys away from home.
Christy began to box at lightweight when he was 15 years old and to this day boasts a record of 27 fights and 27 wins. (Although he has been knocked down once or twice, he has never had his nose broken.) By the age of 21 he was twice county Meath champion and nicknamed ‘The Drogheda Destroyer.’ His local fame was such that he reached the attention of dockyard boss and landowner Grade Sullivan. Sullivan’s challenger in the county Louth prizefight of 1932 was no match for Christy and Sullivan knew it – so he sent a gang to break both of Christy’s legs (fortunately not the nose) and that pretty much ended The Destroyer’s career.
In 1933, facing depression and no prospects, he stowed away on a boat and ended up in Japan. He was immediately taken into custody in Osaka where he faced the rigours of the law. However, he was broken out of his jail by the Yakuza and was therefore indebted to them for the next two years.
The Yakuza taught Christy how to refine his pugilistic instincts. He learned martial arts and the use of swords, guns and all sorts of bizarre weapons. He studied their philosophy and their codes of honour and conduct. And he killed a lot of men.
By 1935, McCaven had paid his debt to the Yakuza but he remained in Osaka for a further year or so. ‘Christy-san’ left with honour in 1936.
He went to London to seek out his brothers. He found Michael working with an Irish gang in the East End (the same now led by the notorious Seamus O’Rourke).
Michael McCaven was killed in a brawl in 1937. The gang swore to help Christy. He offered his services as a minder but was laughed away as being too short. It was only after a pub fight where Christy put three men down (without any damage to his nose) that his reputation started to reach the gang leaders.
By 1938, O’Rourke was fully in charge of the Irish East End contingent and he took a liking to the young McCaven. Christy began as an errand runner for his bosses. After working his way up the ladder, he became a debt collector and eventually – a hit man.
Armed, unarmed, with a rope, a knife, a rusty nail… whatever. He’s killed numerous men in cold blood. He tries not to think about it. For a while he tried to learn how to read instead. He is also hopelessly in unrequited love with O’Rourke’s moll – Miss Beverley Garden.
In 1940, O’Rourke wanted Christy to fight again – one last fight. The Drogheda Destroyer against some local lout. Despite being older (not to mention heavier, balder and a little sluggish) Christy agreed (he dutifully does as he is told).
The night before the fight, O’Rourke told him that a lot of money was riding on him and he would have to take a fall. This was a serious betrayal and Christy felt it deeply.
Christy had never been beaten and he sure as Hellfire wasn’t going to take a fall to make the corrupt and dishonourable any richer. So when it came to the big day he finished his opponent off inside three rounds.
And then fled.
Now Christy sweats an honest living as a groundsman to father Liam O’Donnell at St James’, Marylebone.
The father taught him to lead a good Catholic life, and has been hiding him from the gangs who are hunting Christy down.
Christy found out that his brother Michael wasn’t actually killed in a brawl but was bumped off by O’Rourke. Christy wants revenge and he is prepared to turn informer to do so. He has helped Carter and Barnes on numerous cases.
Hired by Archangel in 1943, Christy and his colleagues father O’Donnell and Lord Jack McMurrough, began the dark work of P7 investigations. Christy originally mistrusted Archangel and worked purely on mercenary terms. However, following the ‘Twelfth Night ‘case of 1945, he has changed his outlook on life.
Christy now believes he is an angel of death, placed on earth to kill in the name of the Lord. He believes Archangel is a sign from God and will happily work for him in the future.
He only trusts those who believe in God and takes his guidance directly from the Lord, or those who are closer to God than himself (priests etc.)
Tough, bright, streetwise, mercenary, religious, available for hire for most causes at the right price.
Quiet and particularly shy in the company of aristocrats and women. He doesn’t read or write very well.
Mistrusts books, intellectuals, occultism and people who ‘have good ideas that don’t involve violence’. |
