Francis McReary

Background

Francis McReary is the eldest of the McReary brothers in Grand Theft Auto IV and the deputy commissioner of the Liberty City Police Department. Unlike his siblings he took the law-enforcement route, but he is deeply corrupt and willing to use criminals to protect his reputation and his career. He presents himself as a devout family man while having his dirty work done by others.

Events of Grand Theft Auto IV

Francis learns about Niko's activities and decides to use him. In Call and Collect Niko kills a man who is blackmailing Francis and recovers compromising photos. In Final Interview Niko poses as a job applicant to get close to the lawyer Tom Goldberg and kills him, and in Holland Nights Francis sends him after the drug dealer Clarence Little, who can be killed or spared. Lure follows with another dealer drawn into a trap.

The climax of Francis' story is Blood Brothers. Francis fears that his brother Derrick, a heroin addict with a past in Irish paramilitary circles, will talk about the family's crimes and destroy his career. He asks Niko to kill Derrick, while Derrick asks Niko to kill Francis in return. The player decides which brother dies, and the survivor attends the other's funeral in Undertaker.

If Francis survives, he becomes a useful contact: calling him clears Niko's wanted level. He also never stops trying to shift blame for the family's crimes onto others.

Personality

Francis is self-righteous, hypocritical and desperate to be seen as respectable. He claims to fight crime while paying criminals, and his sense of family loyalty only goes as far as his own interests.

Relationships

• Brothers Packie, Derrick and Gerald, sister Kate and mother Maureen.
• His relationship with Derrick is so poisoned that each brother is willing to have the other killed.

Trivia

• Francis is voiced by Thomas Lyons.
• His wanted-level clearing ability makes him a common choice for players who prefer gameplay benefits over sentiment.