In the dramatic fifth episode of Irish Blood, titled “Adding Machine,” the story takes a dangerous turn as criminal Johnny McIntyre breaks out of prison. This event sets the stage for a new wave of threats against main character Fiona Sharpe and her family. The episode answers important questions about Johnny’s fate while introducing new problems for Fiona.
The escape happens with help from two men dressed as police officers. They free Johnny from his cell and confront police officer Finn Murphy. Johnny points a gun at Finn, suggesting he will kill him like he did Declan. The episode ends before showing the outcome. This cliffhanger leaves viewers wondering about Finn’s safety and Johnny’s next moves.
Johnny McIntyre was put in prison in episode 3. Fiona found evidence linking him to the murder of Siobhan’s brother, Benji Donovan. She used a DNA sample from a bloody MMA glove to prove his guilt. His escape now puts Fiona and her family in great danger.
How Johnny McIntyre Escapes from Prison
Johnny McIntyre does not break out of prison alone. He gets help from a man named Wylie and another accomplice. They pretend to be police officers to gain access to the prison. Once inside, they overpower the guards and free Johnny.
One officer, Finn Murphy, tries to stop them. He is the brother of Fiona’s father, Declan, and her uncle. Finn refuses to give the key to Johnny’s cell. Wylie and his partner beat Finn badly. When Johnny is free, he aims a gun at Finn’s head. He implies he will kill Finn just like he killed Declan. The episode ends before showing the shot.
This escape was teased in the episode synopsis. It confirms that Johnny has powerful people working for him. His threats to Fiona and her family are now more serious than ever.
Róisín’s Hidden Connection to the McIntyre Family
Episode 5 reveals a big secret about police officer Róisín. Her last name is Doherty, but her mother is from the McIntyre family. This makes Róisín and Johnny cousins. They grew up together but grew apart when Johnny chose a life of crime.
Fiona learns about this family connection and feels betrayed. She starts to distrust Róisín, wondering if she is helping the McIntyre crime family. However, Róisín has been helping Fiona since the beginning. She has distanced herself from her family’s criminal activities. Fiona decides to trust her despite the shocking news.
This reveal adds complexity to Róisín’s character. It also shows that Fiona must be careful about who she trusts.
Fiona Loses Her Father’s Cottage
Another problem arises for Fiona in this episode. She learns that her father’s cottage is being repossessed. This happens because Declan owed money to Siobhan’s father due to his gambling habits. He used the cottage as collateral for his debts.
The cottage is important to Fiona. It is the last thing her father left her in his will. Losing it means losing a connection to her father. Siobhan tells Fiona she can stay at the cottage for as long as she wants. However, this does not change the fact that Fiona no longer owns the property.
This loss adds emotional weight to the episode. Fiona is not only fighting for justice but also struggling to keep her home.
Background on Johnny McIntyre’s Arrest
Johnny McIntyre was arrested in episode 3 of Irish Blood. Fiona found a pair of blood-stained MMA gloves in her father’s briefcase. Inside one glove was a hidden piece of hardened plaster. This weapon could seriously hurt or kill someone in a fight.
Fiona connected the gloves to an underground MMA fight in 1995. A man named Benji Donovan died in that fight. Johnny was the main suspect, but charges were dropped due to lack of evidence. Fiona proved that Johnny used the gloves to cheat and cause harm.
Getting Johnny’s DNA was not easy. Fiona asked Musa, a boxer, to fight Johnny’s cousin Caoimhin in an underground match. During the fight, Musa hit Caoimhin, causing blood to splatter on Fiona. She used that blood sample to match the DNA on the gloves. This evidence was enough to send Johnny to prison.
What Johnny’s Escape Means for Fiona
Johnny McIntyre’s escape is very bad news for Fiona. He is a dangerous criminal who wants revenge. In episode 3, he made a phone call to his boss. He said that scaring Fiona was no longer enough. This implies that he plans to harm her physically.
Now that he is free, he can act on those threats. Fiona is already dealing with the loss of her cottage and the discovery of Róisín’s family ties. Johnny’s escape adds more pressure and danger to her life.
Finn Murphy’s life is also in immediate danger. If Johnny kills Finn, it will devastate Fiona and the entire Murphy family.
The Bigger Mystery: Who Killed Declan?
Despite solving two cases, Fiona still does not know who killed her father, Declan. Johnny McIntyre was involved in criminal activities, but there is no proof he murdered Declan. The hard drive Fiona found in episode 5 might contain answers.
The hard drive could have information about Declan’s dealings with the McIntyre family. It might also reveal why he was killed. Fiona must work quickly to uncover the truth before Johnny finds her.
Some fans think other characters might be involved. Una Murphy and Siobhan have been acting suspiciously. Siobhan’s family is connected to Johnny, and Una seemed overly worried when Fiona was attacked. The full truth is still hidden.
Fiona and Musa’s Growing Relationship
In the middle of all the danger, Fiona finds comfort in her relationship with Musa. In episode 3, they shared a kiss and agreed to go on a date. By the end of that episode, they were eating Chinese food and drinking wine at Fiona’s cottage.
Their relationship adds a human touch to the story. Musa has shown he is willing to risk his life for Fiona. He fought Caoimhin to get the DNA sample needed to arrest Johnny. This bravery impressed Fiona and brought them closer.
However, with Johnny free, their relationship might be tested. Musa could become a target if Johnny wants to hurt Fiona through her loved ones.
Final Thoughts on Episode 5
Irish Blood season 1 episode 5 ends with many unanswered questions. Will Johnny McIntyre kill Finn Murphy? How will Fiona protect herself from Johnny’s revenge? What secrets does the hard drive hold about Declan’s death?
The episode also develops the characters of Róisín and Musa. Róisín’s family background makes her role more interesting. Musa’s relationship with Fiona adds emotional depth to the show.
Viewers are left eager for the next episode. They want to see how Fiona handles these new challenges. The show has done a good job of mixing mystery, drama, and action.
Irish Blood is streaming on Acorn TV. New episodes are released every Monday. The season finale will air on September 8, 2025.
Also Read: HBO’s New Crime Drama Task Sets September 2025 Premiere With Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey
Credits: imdb.com, dmtalkies.com
