Former Air Force officer who was shot seven times to launch his first book in Kildare

A former South African Air Force officer who was shot seven times will launch his first ever book in Kildare this weekend.

'Honour Betrayed Behind Closed Doors', details the life of Kildare resident Christopher Nielson during the Apartheid years which plagued his native South Africa.

He arrived in Ireland 30 years ago and was given protection by the Irish government.

Mr Nielson worked within the President's office, as a traumatologist, and as an officer and pilot in the Air Force.

He also revealed that he sustained seven different gunshot wounds the day before he left South Africa.

Christopher Nielson

According to Mr Nielson, his debut book chronicles "the journey of secrecy and the shadows of high office and an unyielding pursuit of justice".

He elaborated: "It's a memoir which reflects the complexity of my personal transformation from a young man to survival. 

"My experiences expose the deep contradictions of the time into a system that wielded unimaginable power, yet perpetuated cruelty and injustice on a massive scale."

In addition, Mr Nielson revealed that he is already working on his second book.

'Honour Betrayed Behind Closed Doors' will be launched in Barker and Jone's bookshop in Naas on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

The launch will run from 10am until 1pm.

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