Stray Bullets: Recent Episodes
E.S. Haggan
Having served over thirty years in the RUC / PSNI I was medically retired with CPTSD. Dissociative Identity Disorder also evolved in me as a residue of CPTSD. I wrote a novel, 'The Bitter End of Dreams', through which I hoped to reflect the experiences of working class folk caught in the grip of a sectarian conflict. I set my story in Belfast, but replaced the Judeo-Christian god with that of Mithras. I also gave Northern Ireland an extra county. Such counterfactual alterations opened up for me the opportunity to place my story deep within the NI Troubles without being shackled to specific timelines, events and real people - thus avoiding the risk of libelling anyone, while being able to write a story, familiar to many, and retaining a sense of place and the tragedy of the Troubles. I'm going to talk openly about elements of policing the Troubles, religion, politics, sectarianism and our toxic ideologies. I've explored these topics in my novel, as well as the placing of actual events and atrocities; albeit heavily disguised or deeply submerged in subtext.To better frame my thoughts I will, firstly, discuss each chapter in sequence before reading that chapter. In this way I should be able to complete a spoken word version of my novel while using the opportunity it provides to elaborate on its creation process in the context of the NI Troubles.Thank you.
Just a short notice in relation to the longevity of the podcast.
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In light of the conviction of Jeffrey Donaldson on Monday 22nd June 2026 I thought I'd take a look at some of the behaviour employed by sex offenders, especially in the context of Protestant Fundamentalist Christianity. I also look at the similar organisational environments where corruption can thrive due to collectivist mindsets.
There has been a disgraceful surge in members of the DUP, Unionism and even loyalism clamouring to distance themselves from Donaldson as well as decrying his behaviour. A number of political and public figures also openly intimating that they were of his predatory and, in some cases, hypocritical behaviour, yet these self same paragons of virtue kept quiet about such, why? I look at possible reasons, too.
Are we now, yet again, witnessing the rot and ruin behind the DUP's godly-white walls?
Also, here's the link for Chris Moore's definitive book about Kincora cover-up
References:
Dos Santos, Simone Miranda and Lemes, Sirei, Corruption and Religiosity: A Cross-Country Analysis Medicated by Accounting Quality, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil, 2022
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The violence of the past week has brought Northern Ireland to the global media stage (violence and intolerance are two of our best products!). Fuelled by an abhorrent attempted murder which was seized upon by right-wing populist groups, idealogues, demagogues as well as several extremely wealthy sponsors of right-wing political parties. Of course, a number of clandestine foreign actors employed agitprop, militant accelerationism and and synthetic media also added fuel to the fires. Naturally, homegrown organised crime groups (UDA, UVF etc.) also clambered aboard, coercing youths into racism, rioting, 'green-lighting' streets / addresses / premises to be attacked and destroyed, as well as intimidation and threats to anyone who wasn't white.
There was much faux handwringing in some political corners, noticeably those who seek to normalise racist attitudes as a strategy to secure votes and power. Others in the NI Assembly simply muttered about 'legitimate concerns' while turning their back to burning homes.
It seems in Northern Ireland continued political dysfunction, failure and apathy are best illuminated by the light of a burning nurse's car.
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Continuing my look at asset handling during the Troubles. Some asides included: the light and dark of Special Branch as imagined by popular media (Blue Lights), the aspect of 'reputation', organisational and personal. Finally, some extracts from The Bass Player by Stephen Travers.
The Bass Player: Surviving the Miami Showband Massacre
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Just a revisit to aspects of asset-handling / management post-Kenova. I conscious of not wishing to tread over old ground, but it may be inevitable given how much the subject matter overlaps. If you'd like to hear more in-depth discussions about asset handling and the intelligence community during the Troubles you can find this in my episodes entitled Stakeknife et al.
Hope you find this, and succeeding episodes, informative.
Many thanks
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I know. I do tend to stumble through my thoughts, at times spilling out a stream of consciousness. Nevertheless, I just recently realised that it's been just over forty years since I joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary. I hadn't a clue then, and, most likely, still haven't?! So, I've tried to restrict what I want to say in this episode - the vast bulk of the subject matter I raise I've already covered in previous episodes about the Hunger Strikes, commemoration of the past, 'imagined communities' (especially Loyalist - and how Loyalism could quickly turn on the police if, for example, Orange parades were rerouted).
Listening to myself I wonder at times if I do have some form of Stockholm Syndrome? I mean, I've always tried to conduct myself with even a modicum of empathy, or need to understand counter-narratives and opposing ideologies, but have I strayed over the 'empathy line' too far? I don't know. Many of my ex-RUC colleagues would say I have and that, being of 'soft-mind' and a traitor to organisational memory / mythology, I'm welcome to stay there!
Anyway, tomorrow I begin scripting out my episodes returning to the subject of asset management, the Intelligence Services, collusion, murder, relative legislative points and things like RIPA.
I hope you'll join me - if you make it through this episode unscathed, or just bemused!
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Well, just over forty years ago I joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary. So, I'd like to make my next podcast one in which I over my time in the RUC / PSNI. Hopefully I can draw on events that I've not, so far, included in my previous podcasts as well as trying to keep things light.
I've nearly completed revisions for my upcoming podcasts revisiting the Intelligence Services and Asset Handling etc., during the Troubles, I just need to go over some aspects of relevant legislation and transcripts. The above podcast will provide me with a bit of a breather before I enter the world of counter-terrorism again, plus a break from P. & B & D & I who've been slagging me off again in the 19th hole ; )
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A concise look at colonial mechanisms of suppression of indigenous language, customs and superstitions in the context of 18th century Ireland. The inception of this episode is due to my long interest in (old) languages as well as etymology combined with the current debacle in Northern Ireland surrounding the use of the Irish language.
Sources:
Colby, T.F., Instructions for the interior survey of Ireland, lithographed at the Ordinance Survey office, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 1825
Curtis, L.P., Anglo-Saxons and Celts: a study of anti-Irish prejudice in Victorian England, Bridgeport CN, 1968
Dixon, H., 'John O'Donovan', An Leabharlann 2:1, 1906
Durkacz, V.E., The decline of the Celtic languages: a study of linguistic and cultural conflict in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland from the Reformation to the twentieth century, Edinburgh, 1983
Fulford, T. & P.J. Kitson (eds), Romanticism and colonialism: writing and empire, 1780 - 1830, Cambridge and New York, 1998
Hindley, R., Irish in the nineteenth century: from collapse to the dawn of revival, in R. Hindley, The death of the Irish language: a qualified obituary, London, 1990
MacDonagh, O., The politics of Gaelic in O. MacDonagh, States of mind: a study of Anglo-Irish conflict, 1780 - 1980, London, 1983
O'Donovan, J., The topographical poems of O'Dubhagain agus O'Huidrin, Dublin, 1862
O'Donovan, J., A grammar of the Irish language, published for the use of the senior classes in the College of St Columba, Dublin, 1845
Ó' Loinsigh, P., The Irish language in the nineteenth century, Oideas 14, 1975
Spenser, E., A view of the state of Ireland from the first printed edition (1633), ed. A Hadfield and W. Maley, Malden MA, 1997
Swift, C., John O'Donovan and the framing of early medieval Ireland in the nineteenth century, Bullán 1:1, Spring 1994
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Some succinct recollections about how some females were treated in the RUC, at the time a very patriarchal organisation. Also, to conclude a brief look at Irish right-wing groups and the maintenance of tribal hatreds. I may expand on the latter in a future episode. I have shifted the proposed episode about the Irish Language to an episode of its own as I have slightly more material and in mind of current political posturing and culture wars - the lies for your vote is on, or 'I'll give you a fistful of grievances and victimhood you didn't know you needed - I'll throw in some confirmation bias for free, too!
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Details about some of the subjects I hope to discuss in the next Stray Bullets episode.
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Some additional aspects following messages and a few conversations with ex- and still serving police colleagues.
'[My father] did not show me how to be sociable. I ended up designing a covert life; I have to maintain a profile while being invisible.'
John Cale
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A look at how the Northern Irish proletariat continue to allow themselves to be exploited through the maintenance of the legacy of flags and fear.
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I suppose the title should really read: 'Political Courage in Northern Ireland flaps in tatters from upon the lamppost that one of our un/elected demagogues attached it to before intimating a threat to anyone who dared remove it.'
In the pipeline is a return to discussing asset handling and the 'nuances' of Special Branch as well as looking more in-depth at PIRA volunteer testimonials.
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A condensed episode considering how Catholics may fare in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. For more in-depth thoughts please see links below:
They Had Their Loyalties: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI
'A Black Man is better than a Fenian': Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part II
Brief Preamble to Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part III
Isolation: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part IV
Minor Addendum for: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part IV
'Say Nothing': Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part V
Symbolic Dominance: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part VI
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An additional, unplanned, episode originating from some surplus material (AKA thoughts) I had left over from prior episodes. In this episode I talk about the murder of Derek Wood and David Howes as well as the peace walls in Belfast.
Medbh McGuckian: New Selected PoemsRow erupts over proposal to remove peace wall through Belfast park
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The concluding episode of Subtle Alchemies. Herein, I discuss the ideal / innocent victim / victim-perpetrator paradigm as well as looking at the cowardly murders of Edgar Graham and Sean Brown. Killed for who they were perceived to be representative of. Also, the murder of RUC officer Jonathan (Jon) Reid.
An in-depth series of episodes revisiting subjects such as asset-handling, intelligence streams, RUC SB, MI5 et al, are planned for the new year.
Works cited
McKittrick, D., Kelters, S., Feeney, B., Thornton, C., and McVea, D., (eds), Lost Lives (updated and revised), Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh and London, 2007
Orwell, G., Homage to Catalonia, Penguin Classic, 2000
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A somewhat disjointed episode, unplanned and unscripted. Nevertheless, I felt necessary, as such, to get me back into producing an episode following a sharp dip along my mental road. Anyway, in this episode I talk about some of our politicians jetting off to Israel, the Palestinian flag at Belfast City Hall, the film Black '47, victimhood as agency, cognitive dissonance and extreme sensibilities among a myriad of other things!
In the next episode I will, finally, conclude my look at victims, collective memory and forgiveness in our post-conflict society.
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In this episode I look at the construction of victimology in the context of Bloody Sunday as well as that of 'Soldier F'. Also, I consider Organisational Memory, Myth-Making, Blamelessness and Out Group / In Group dynamics.
Cohen, S., States of Denial: Knowing About Atrocities and Suffering, Polity Press, Cambridge, 2001
Eveleigh, R., Peace-Keeping in a Democratic Society. The Lessons of Northern Ireland, C. Hurst and Company, London, 1978
Halbwachs, M., On Collective Memory, University of Chicago Press, 1992
Lundy, P. and McGovern M., The Politics of Memory in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland, Peace Review 13, 2001
Morrissey, M. and Smyth, M., Northern Ireland after the Good Friday Agreement: Victims, Grievance and Blame, Pluto Press, London, 2002
Sykes, G. M. and Matza, D., Techniques of Neutralization: A Theory of Delinquency, American Sociological Review 22, 1957
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In this episode I move on to discuss the terms 'victim' and 'perpetrator' and that in post-conflict societies these terms are seldom mutually exclusive of one another.
Are we much too early, in terms of reconciliation, to even begin to think about determining ideal constructs of both 'victim' and 'perpetrator' in Northern Ireland?
Never mind 'Hierarchies of Victims', were there 'Hierarchies of Righteous Violence'?
Lots to discuss...
Works cited:
Borer, T. A., A Taxonomy of Victims and Perpetrators: Human Rights and Reconciliation in South Africa. Human Rights Quarterly 25, 2003
Brewer, J., Peace Processes: A Sociological Approach, Polity Press, Cambridge, 2010
Huyse, L., Victims. In Reconciliation After Violent Conflict: A Handbook, Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Stockholm, 2003
Moon C., Narrating Political Reconciliation: South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Lexington Books, Plymouth, 2008
The Four of Us: Mary (The Four of Us were part of the soundtrack to my Border career.)
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An brief interlude before I get to Part Two of Subtle Alchemies.
Also, please check out the very talented, very brilliant, Emer Maguire who appeared at the Stand Up for Integrated Education Comedy Night at the Ulster Hall.
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This is the first episode of a series in which I discuss not only the definition of a 'victim' in the context of the Troubles, but also perceptions of victimhood, either justified or unjustified, as well as 'complex victims'.
Works cited:
Bar-Tal, Daniel, Lily Chernyak-Hai, Noa Schori, and Ayelet Gundar, A Sense of Self-Perceived Collective Victimhood in Intractable Conflicts, International Review of the Red Cross 91, 2009
Bouris, Erica, Complex Political Victims, Kumarian Press Inc., Bloomfield CT, 2007
Christie, Nils, The Ideal Victim, in From Crime Policy to Victim Policy: Reorienting the Justice System, Macmillan Press, London, 1986
Lawther, Cheryl, The Construction and Politicisation of Victimhood, in Victims of Terrorism: A Comparative and Interdisciplinary Study, Taylor and Francis, London, 2014
Ní Chuinn, Liadan, Every One Still Here, The Stinging Fly Press, Dublin, 2025
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Some points in response to a number of queries / comments about police management of sexual offenders. I've spoke about this subject over a number of proceeding episodes, so I'll keep it as succinct as I can and try not to repeat anything (not easy, but …).
Also in this episode I'm only touching very, very, briefly upon a very current issue which has yet again brought the PSNI (and British Intelligence) under the spotlight, that of the illegal surveillance of Barry McCaffrey's and Trevor Birney's communications, amongst others. Thankfully a PSNI CC, namely John Boucher, has once again shown integrity and professionalism (sadly lacking in a number of previous CC's (both PSNI and RUC) under whose watch such systems of incompetence and autonomy were allowed to take root and infect procedural mechanisms. I've a feeling there's more to come from 4QE!
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The concluding (for now) episode in which I discuss the experience of catholic officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI.
Bibliography
Breen, R, Beliefs about the treatment of Catholics and Protestants by the Security Forces, in R. Breen, P. Devine and G. Robinson (eds), Social Attitudes in Northern Ireland: The Fourth Report, Appletree Press, Belfast, 1995
Bourdieu, P. Language and Symbolic Power, Polity Press, Cambridge, 1991
Cullen, F. Visual Politics: The Representation of Ireland 1750 - 1930, Cork University Press, Cork, 1997
Ellison, G. Professionalism in the Royal Ulster Constabulary: an examination of the institutional discourse, (unpublished D.Phil. thesis), University of Ulster, 1997
McGarry, J. and O'Leary, B. Policing Northern Ireland: Proposals for a New Start, Blackstaff Press, Belfast, 1999.
Mulcahy, A. The Dynamics of the Police Legitimation Process in Northern Ireland, (unpublished PhD thesis, Arizona State University, 1998
Ruane, J. and Todd, J. The Dynamics of Conflict in Northern Ireland, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1996
One of PSNI’s first Catholic recruits quits in dismay: ‘I regret joining… I just feel scarred by it’
Northern Ireland’s police service faces anti-Catholic discrimination cases
Ex-PSNI officer who now says he lied about sectarianism restated his views after bizarre exchange
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Just a few more RUC memories stirred by recent news.
Food delivery driver allegedly threatened and racially abused before footage appeared on TikTok, court hears
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Continuing my look at the experience of catholic officers within policing in Northern Ireland. In this episode I begin to look at issues which may affect recruitment from the Nationalist / Republican community.
In the following episode I will continue this topic (and most likely conclude same), but with a more in-depth look at some of the selection processes involved when applying to become a PSNI recruit, as well as a few more anecdotes about the job.
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The recent 'Hoover-Gate' news report brought back some old memories, as well as a look at the ongoing strategy used to delay and (sometimes) derail being disciplined or summoned to court as a defendant.
I should mention also, though, that it's a strategy found in other police service's too.
Top police officer facing possible sack retires before misconduct hearing
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Cursory thoughts about some of the rot affecting youth culture in working-class protestant areas of Belfast and the cinema of adoration through hate. Upon reflection there's probably more I could have put into - and further expanded upon - in this episode, but time was against me and I didn't want it to run on too long. My early episodes about Belfast look more at territorial spaces and the episode about Loyalist communities may also be of interest.
TikTok bans Belfast vigilante group’s videos as PSNI labels its actions ‘racism, pure and simple’
Vigilante groups targeting migrants in street patrols in Belfast ‘greatly concerning’
Bibliography
Taylor, S. Responding to Racist Incidents and Racist Crimes in Ireland: An Issue Paper for the Equality Authority, Dublin, Equality Authority, 2011
Ramsey, P. and Waterhouse-Bradley, B. Cultural Policy in Northern Ireland: making cultural policy for a divided society, in The Routledge Handbook of Global Cultural Policy, Abingdon: Routledge, 2018
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Listen to the Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part IV episode prior to this - I just wanted to expand upon an anecdote I spoke (briefly) about in the above episode.
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The fourth instalment in which I discuss the experiences of Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI.
Click on the link below - it'll make more sense after listening to this episode.
Many thanks! Isolation
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A brief preamble.
Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part III will follow in the next Stray Bullets instalment, due very soon!
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An unexpected interlude. I had planned to bridge episode II and III of 'Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI' with a trailer, but unplanned events look set to overtake me and, as such, I'm unsure now of the possible duration between II and III.
In the meantime - time of mean-spiritedness - I couldn't ignore the latest disgrace in our ignoble history, that of Goldsprings of Comber LOL opposition to a local cross-community event hosting children from ten different cultural backgrounds, one being from a GAA sporting background.
Below are some links illuminating the debacle to date:
This was about Sport – for Kids
Cricket bodies 'dismayed' over halted summer camp
Little-Pengelly ‘saddened and disappointed’ by cancellation of sport summer camp
The GAA wolf may wrap itself in the sheep of children, but it is still a wolf
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The second episode in which I look at the experience of catholic officers within the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A glimpse of how catholic officers are exposed to isolation, sectarianism and even racism and matters of faith, both external to the job and within it.
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The first of two episodes in which I examine the experience and prospects of catholic police officers in Northern Ireland's RIC, RUC and PSNI.
As ever I'll stray from organisational mythology (RUC) and may go off tangent now and again.
Thanks for your patience.
Bibliography
Arthur, P. Government and Politics of Northern Ireland, Longman, London, 1984
Boyce, D.G. Nationalism in Ireland, Croom Helm, London, 1982
Brady, C. Guardians of the Peace, Gill and Macmillan, Dublin, 1974
Brewer, J.D. The Royal Irish Constabulary: An Oral History, Institute of Irish Studies, Queen's University, Belfast, 1990
McNiffe, L. A History of the Garda Siochana: A Social History of the Force 1922-52, with an Overview for the years 1952-97, Wolfhound Press, Dublin, 1997
Shaw, Fr Francis, The Canon of Irish History: A Challenge, Studies LXI, Summer, 1972
My novel (for those who expressed an interest) Many thanks!
The Bitter End of Dreams
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Forthcoming episode...
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Sorry, just another impromptu episode, this time impassioned by the disenfranchised youth of our community being exploited by our organised crime groups and the far-right. This time we're othering many innocent people within our ethnic communities and allowing ourselves to be further exploited by fascists, bigots and racist demagogues.
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Some additional musings I (typically!) omitted.
This relates to the John Montague: All the Elements of a Police State episode, so listen to that before this.
Many thanks!
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A look at John Montague's short story, The Cry. Set in 1959 it offers an opportunity to examine Northern Irish policing practices during the 1950s and 60s. The impetus for Montague's story was his actual witnessing the assault of a young catholic man by members of the Ulster Special Constabulary (B Specials). As such, The Cry offers a window into catholic fatalism and apathy at a time when there was a furthering fracture of policing between political and conventional roles. The former encouraged and maintained by the, at the time, Unionist hegemony.
As ever, included are a few anecdotes and incidents recalled from my service in the RUC.
For anyone interested the BBC adaptation of The Cry is available to watch here.
Bibliography
Montague, John, Death of a Chieftain, Poolbeg Press, Dublin, 1978
Farrell, Michael, Northern Ireland: The Orange State, Pluto, London, 1976
Mr Nelson, Commons, Debates, August 21, 1951, col. 2071
Mr McSparran, Commons, Debates, August 21, 1951, cols. 2088-2089
Mr Diamond, Commons, Debates, May 6, 1952, col. 673
Mr O'Connor, Commons, Debates, March 12, 1969, col. 309
Mr McAteer, Commons, Debates, March 18, 1952, col. 366
Hunt Committee, P. 19; P. 32
Minister of Home Affairs Bates, Commons, Debates, April 10, 1930, col. 762; March 16, 1932, col. 371
Minister of Home Affairs Craig, Commons, Debates, December 12, 1963, cols. 1667- 1668; December 18, 1963, col. 1823
Mr Fitt, Commons, Debates, March 27, 1968, col. 246
Mr Hanna, Commons, Debates, May 20, 1936, col. 1704
O'Connor, Fionnuala, In Search of a State: Catholics in Northern Ireland, Blackstaff Press, Belfast, 1993
Purdie, Bob, Politics in the Streets: The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement in Northern Ireland, Blackstaff Press, Belfast, 1990
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Trailer for my next episode in which I take a look at new look nationalist attitudes towards policing in Northern Ireland prior to the Troubles.
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A look at the concept of 'state-terrorism' and if such is in itself rendered incoherent in a climate of violent insurrection. Also, the 'showcase ambushes' by British Special Forces. Were these not in effect the lethal confrontation of two opposing forces, one personifying the Irish Republican (understood?) risk of their own blood sacrifice, the other effecting a stop and destroy operation against a well-armed for?
No easy answers, but I continue to try and understand the myriad dynamics which churned and boiled the waters of our 'civilized' society. I also consider the final words of the 1916 Easter Uprising leaders such as Pearse, Connolly and Plunkett.
Bibliography:
Richardson, Louise, What Terrorists Want, New York: Random House, 2006
Bitner, Rüdiger, Morals in terrorist times, in Meggle (ed.), Ethics of Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism, Frankfurt, 2005
[1916]: Public Records Office, Kew, London / War Office Records: 71/354; 71/345
MacLochlainn, Piaras F., Last Words : Letters and Statements of the Leaders Executed after the Rising at Easter 1916, Dublin, 1990
Bateson, Ray, They Died By Pearse's Side, Irish Graves Publications, 2010
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Another impromptu episode. This time about the Irish hip hop band Kneecap and the recent furore they've stirred. My reasons for talking about them will become evident. I've also added some memories about policing Divis.
Kneecap row: police assessing ‘kill MP’ and ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’ footageClick here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.
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This episode further examines the Provisional IRA's assertion that there was no alternative to armed struggle.
Works cited:
White, Robert W., Provisional Irish Republicans: an Oral and Interpretive History, Westport, Greenwood Press, 1993
Hennessey, Thomas, Northern Ireland: the Origins of the Troubles, Dublin, Gill & Macmillan, 2005
Smith, Anthony D., Nationalism: Theory, Ideology, History, Oxford, Blackwell, 2001
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Just another impromptu episode in respect of the PSNI Chief Constable's recent despondency at our politician's seeming indifference to the policing budget, and the fact that 'fit for duty' police numbers are dangerously low and overstretched.
I also briefly talk about my feelings surrounding the continuing intransigence of the Intelligence Services concerning the murder of Sean Brown.
Benn should 'do the right thing' after murdered GAA official court rulingChief constable 'speechless' at 'beyond disappointing' budgetClick here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.
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Moving forward I consider some statements made in the past by PIRA volunteers in respect of 'engineering' the conflict, or, conversely, having the armed struggle forced upon them by the actions of the British.
As ever I must admit to straying off on one - or two - tangents, such as a 'murder safari', a term I've coined for, well, it'll become evident...
Sources referred to in this episode:
Alonso, Rogelio, The IRA and Armed Struggle, London and New York: Routledge, 2007
Hennessey, Thomas, Northern Ireland: the Origins of the Troubles, Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 2005
MacStiofáin, Seán, Memoirs of a Revolutionary, Edinburgh: Gordon Cremonesi, 1975
O'Doherty, Malachi, The Trouble with Guns: Republican Strategy and the Provisional IRA, Belfast: Blackstaff, 1998
White, Robert W., Provisional Irish Republicans: an Oral and Interpretive History, Westpoint, CT: Greenwood Press, 1993
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Another impromptu episode, of sorts, before I continue my look at PIRA's 'no alternative' to violence and state-terrorism.
Here, I'm momentarily reflecting upon Special Branch handlers, Northern Irish policing and Catholic recruitment as well as the 'post-policing gaze' that preoccupies an awful lot of police officers: past, present and probably future.
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The first episode looking at a new series of topics. I've an awful lot to unpack in succeeding episodes, so this is more of an episode in which I will begin to establish some factors preceding the Troubles as well as considering a small part of PIRA's Green Book and which leads me on to present day Northern Ireland's plague of violent organised crime groups.
Sources
Patterson, Henry, The Politics of Illusion: a Political History of the IRA, London, Serif, 1997
Jackson, Alvin, Ireland 1798 - 1998: Politics and War, Oxford, Blackwell, 1999
Purdie, Bob, Was the Civil Rights Movement a Republican / Communist Conspiracy, Irish Political Studies 3
English, Richard, Armed Struggle: the History of the IRA, London, Macmillan, 2003
Alonso, Rogelio, The IRA and Armed Struggle, London and New York, Routledge, 2007
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A brief addition as I wanted to close-up any loose ends before moving on to a new episode in which will be looking at PIRA and their assertion that there was no alternative to violence.
It just remains for me to post two links in respect of the killing of Pearce Jordan in 1992 by the SSU.
RUC man who shot unarmed PIRA man told doctor job had been "great until ceasefire"PEARSE JORDAN INQUEST FINDINGS DELIVERED
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Pausing my consideration of Stakeknife and asset handling for now. I sure I can pick up this thread again once the Op Kenova report is finally published, but for now I want to concentrate on future episodes examining other topics in the context of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Troubles.
I close this episode with a few anecdotal reflections on the PIRA ceasefires as well as a 'class' system of sorts within the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
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Another very short interlude just in respect of those who've been discovering my first couple of episodes and if my novel is still available.
The link is here. It's self-published as I wrote it as personal therapy, more than anything else. I've kept the price for the paperback as low as I can (it really just covers Amazon's costs etc.). I've embedded portions of actual events I was aware of while in the RUC, together with blending the testimonies of real world individuals, as well as a bit of subtext.
Sample pages are free to read on Amazon, so have a cursory read first if interested.
Many thanks!
The Bitter End of Dreams (paperback)
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A lot packed into this episode, partly by design, partly by divergence. Continuing on the theme of assets, handlers, TCG and RUC Special Branch. How were things managed, or mismanaged? Troubles' history remains fertile ground into which black propaganda may be seeded by both state and non-state actors. Each 'side' alluding that they fought a 'just war', but all sides drowned in their dirty war.
This episodes concludes with three murders: two by Irish republicans, one by the RUC.
Future episodes will continue to examine the 'intelligence war' as well as 'acts of terror' employed by both state and non-state actors during the Troubles.
Works cited:
O'Rawe, Richard, Stakeknife's Dirty War, Merrion Press, Ireland, 2023
McKittrick, David, et al, Lost Lives, Revised Edition, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2007
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2025 and many journalists, as well as 'security commentors', circle John Boucher's suite and Sir Iain Livingstone's secretary as they vie for an 'exclusive' and / or interview upon the publication of the full Op Kenova report. Already there's been a gradual flurry of activity in the form of publications touting to have the real story of 'Stakeknife' and the clandestine world of murder and betrayal in which he operated.
So, this episode begins my venture into the muddy waters of terrorism by state and non-state actors. Who had the moral high ground? Who fought a 'just war'? Who was 'victorious'? Just some of the questions I hope to cover in successive episodes. This being Part I is introductory as such. I'll also be alluding to Richard O'Rawe's book, Stakeknife's Dirty War (and possibly that of Ian Hurst (writing as Martin Ingram)).
Succeeding episodes will also look at the Tasking and Co-ordinating Group as well as PIRA's Internal Security Unit.
Works cited in this episode
O'Rawe, Richard, Stakeknife's Dirty War, Merrion Press, Ireland, 2023.
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This episode concludes (for the time being anyway!) my look at the RUC and accusations of collusion. However, as I write this more seeds of research into this topic are dropping into my inbox!
Nevertheless, this episode shifts from the early 1920s through to the recent Troubles, and via Ireland and Palestine. I sincerely hope you find something of interest and I remain grateful for any reviews / thoughts / feedback etc.
In the next episode I'll be looking at terrorism from a (possibly) different angle than the usual.
Works cited:
Sir John Shuckburgh at Middle Eat Committee, 5th meeting, 23 December 1921, CO 537 831.
Statement by A. C. M. Sir J. Salmond (Air Staff memo. No. 16, 1924. AIR 5 476
AOC Palestine to AOC Middle East (secret and personal), 5 September 1938. AIR 23 765.
GOC-in-C P/TJ to DMO&I, 20 November 1936. WO 106 2033
M. Begin, The Revolt, London 1951
Report by Sir Charles Wickham, 2 December 1946. CO 537 2269
M. J. Cohen, Palestine and the Great Powers 1945 - 1948, Princeton 1982
Seán William Gannon, The Irish Imperial Service: policing Palestine and administering the Empire, 1922–1966, Palgrave Macmillan, 2019
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This episode will, more or less, set up the episode(s) to follow. I'll discuss aspects of how Britain once looked to deal with internal threats and / or insurgency. Beginning with the 19th centaury I'll look at some examples of how Britain sought to deal with riots or unrest within its own borders as well as that of Ireland.
I also draw on some of my own experiences to extrapolate some historical occurrences to that of the Troubles.
In the next episode I'll be looking at 1920s Ireland up to recent times as well as examining regions such as Palestine.
Finally, the final thoughts in this episode is from an ex-member of 14 Int, and they are quite damning in terms of RUC Special Branch.
Thank you.
Works cited in this episode:
Sir C. Gwynn, Imperial Policing, London 1934
A. V. Dicey, Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution, London 1885
Gen. Sir C. Napier, Remarks on Military Law, London 1837
Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the disturbances at Featherstone, Parliamentary Papers 1893 - 4
C. Townsend, Political Violence in Ireland, Oxford 1983
F. Kitson, Low Intensity Operations, London 1971
Memorandum by Walter Long, 21 July 2016, Bonar Law Papers
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Another unplanned episode. This time I consider Michelle O'Neill's laying of a wreath at the cenotaph in Belfast on Remembrance Sunday and the reaction to same. I guess the theme of this episode is the complex reality of Ireland and this got me thinking about Francis Ledwidge also, so I've included a very brief musing on the complex (contradictory(?)) reality personified by Ledwidge. I was hoping to include Robert Graves too, but decided to leave him for a future episode.
I hope my delivery this episode isn't too scattergun as my CPTSD can cause my thoughts to crash through my words.
In the next episode I'll be again looking at the RUC and collusion with a final input from Det / 14 Int.
Many thanks
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This episode continues my look at the Royal Ulster Constabulary and allegations of collusion. To be honest, I naively thought that I would, most likely, have provided an overarching look at the subject in a couple of episodes. I was wrong. Given the amount of material I've obtained, together with ex-RUC and military colleagues I've gathered much more.
In this episode I conclude my look at books by RUC Special Branch officers. In respect of collusion I only found the two mentioned in this and the previous episode of note.
I also briefly relate the observations of a Det operative which I found incredibly damning and depressing.
Work cited:
Border Crossing, Clarke, George, 2009, Gil & Macmillan, Dublin
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This is just an extremely brief update to let you know what to expect on the next episode.
Also, Buzzsprout have put a link on the Stray Bullets webpage which lets you send me feedback about the podcast (they call it 'fan mail', but that's quite subjective I imagine!).
Many thanks,
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This is the concluding episode in which I look at issues related by a retired RUC Special Branch officer as quoted from the work cited below, as well as my thoughts on such.
Work cited in this episode:
Barker, Alan, 'Shadows: Inside Northern Ireland's Special Branch', Mainstream Publishing Company (Edinburgh) Ltd, 2004
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This episode continues my look at allegations of collusion against the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Obviously, there's nothing revelatory within (other than some aspects of agent handling and possible pitfalls of such). There's nothing to breach the Official Secrets Act either.
In saying all that I sincerely hope that the biographical book extracts, I'll quote from, by a retired member of RUC Special Branch are of some interest, together with my own thoughts on the issue - plus the odd anecdote.
As this episode slightly overran the time I had initially allowed for it I've continued it on to conclusion in a follow-up episode which will carry the same title as this one albeit with the addition of a 'Part II'.
Again, thank you all very much for your support, continued understanding and questions.
Work cited in this episode:
Barker, Alan, 'Shadows: Inside Northern Ireland's Special Branch', Mainstream Publishing Company (Edinburgh) Ltd, 2004
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This is an interim, or rather impromptu, episode of sorts. In it I consider my working relationship with an Intelligence Cell within the British Army during the very early years of my career, and how it became affected following the brutal murder of Loughlin Maginn in 1989.
As such I hope to complete a more comprehensive and concluding episode looking at allegations of collusion and the RUC.
I hope you enjoy these episodes - if that's the right word?! - and I am once again heartened by the continued encouragement and very positive feedback from folks right across Northern Ireland's religious, as well as political / ideological, divide together with interaction with folks beyond Ireland.
Thank you.
Work cited:
Lost Lives (Revised ed.), McKittrick D., et al, Transworld, 2001
Link:
Loughlin Maginn: Family of man shot dead by UDA settle claim against police and MoD
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Another unplanned episode, but one generated from a number of questions I've received from listeners asking if I'd planned to discuss Blue Lights Season 2 in much the same way as I did for Season 1. Also, the anecdotes about illicit love trysts in the PSNI was of great interest (which also featured as part of the Blue Lights episodes). To be honest they still occur and, as such, follow similar paths (maybe not so much with GCHQ involvement, though!) as I've previously alluded to.
However, I recalled some love in the RUC and, well ... hence the 'love squad'
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Given the contentious nature of the subject topic discussed in this episode I've added some caveats which I've outlined at the beginning. I'd just have to reiterate that the episode just reflects my own personal observations plus awareness of incidents, and remain my own interpretations of such.
Having said that, I feel this subject will inevitably run into another episode. It's much too deep a topic to bottom out in under an hour.
Before I begin work on Part II then if there's anything you think I can answer - or even clarify or expand on from this episode - just click on the link below, or drop me a line on Twitter.
Given the state of my mind at the moment I think there may be some thoughts I've left out, and / or incidents I've forgot to mention. If so, I'll rectify this in Part II.
As ever, thank you very much for your time and continued support for this podcast.
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Another 'impromptu' episode! This time I'll be (hurriedly, sorry time waits ... ) discussing the political rants following Armagh GAA winning the All-Ireland title on Sunday 28th July 2024. Moreso, because a PSNI Community Policing Officer joined in with his community celebrating in Camlough (I used to just be flown over it and dropped off nearby for foot patrols) by proudly flying the Armagh GAA flag from his livered vehicle.
As ever, in Northern Ireland this divided sections of the community. As I said - or wrote - somewhere(?) I've felt for sometime now that instances like this are as if unionism believes that nationalism has taken its (policing) toy off it and wont give it back. Maybe I'm being too harsh? It works both ways, of course. It always has.
Policing in Northern Ireland is unable to untether itself from political moorings partly because of our history and, partly, because that is the way of the world and 'civilisation'. This conundrum is - and never was - the sole possession of Northern Ireland.
Anyway, I felt it important to conclude the episode by deferring to extracts from an interview by Peadar Heffron who suffered traumatic amputations and injuries following the placement of a UCBT under his private vehicle in 2010.
You can read the interview here.
And you can view the Camlough footage here
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In this episode I attempt to conclude my thoughts on the aspects of Forgiveness and Recrimination in Northern Ireland's post-Troubles' society. In saying that, I'll add the caveat that I'll most likely be revisiting nuances of such topics threaded through future episodes.
For the time being I'm looking at how we memorialise the past in terms of 'isolating' sacred spaces from the eyes of the 'other', along with other related aspects, and how this may hamper reconciliation.
Some works cited:
Michael Ignatieff, The Liberal Imagination: A Defence, Toronto Star, 1998
Jenny Edkins, The Rush to Memory and the Rhetoric of War, Journal of Political and Military Sociology 31, 2003
_____________
“I know from experience that the isolation of those who try to forget the past is as terrible as the isolation of those for whom the past is an obsession; I’ve learned that the question is never whether or not to forget, that this is a false dichotomy; the only question [...] is how to remember the past without repeating it.”
Édouard Louis, Histoire de la violence
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**Will there be a time when we, in Northern Ireland, see our seemingly parallel divergent histories cross? Our opposing narratives blend with commonality. As a society still raw from sectarian and political conflict many are trying to step away from hate, but there are still those who fear any admission of culpability will render them vulnerable.
In this episode I'll be talking about such and more. If there's a way, or even the beginnings of an answer, that will lead us towards healing and away from hate.**
Work cited:
Biggar, N. (2008) Divided Past: Shared Future: Essays on Churches addressing the legacy of the Troubles, Belfast: Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland.
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Just a bolt-on tale I omitted to include in the previous episode: 'Rattlebag'.
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This episode is, in itself, an interlude before I continue my theme of reconciliation and recrimination. I just needed a breather of sorts and to realign my thoughts, which had been threatening to scatter.
Just some (brief) ruminations herein on a few innocuous memories from my time in both the Royal Ulster Constabulary and PSNI.
Many thanks to those who've sent me some questions, clarifications as well as very kind feedback. A lot of interest in my Blue Lights themed episodes, plus some requests for the same on Season Two.
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In this episode I'll be continuing to look at the aspect of Forgiveness and Recrimination which I began in the episode, 'I Bear No Grudge'. Given the amount of material I've gathered to date, I sense that the topic will continue on for several more episodes.
In this episode I employ two poems by John Hewitt: 'The Iron Circle' and 'The Bloody Brae' in the hope that they may assist in illuminating the complex nature of forgiveness in the context of sectarianism, attendant savagery and subsequent trauma.
Hewitt wrote 'The Bloody Brae' in 1936. It 'lay around until 1953, when [Hewitt] suddenly came on it [...]'.
Both 'The Iron Circle' and 'The Bloody Brae' are taken from:
The Collected Poems of John Hewitt, edited by Frank Ormsby, The Blackstaff Press, Belfast, 1991.
A partial glossary for The Bloody Brae:
'boording' entering into conversation
'guddling' catching [fish] by hand
'brae' rising ground
'sheugh' ditch
'yowe' ewe
The following link may be of cursory interest:
‘What about Islandmagee?’ Another version of the 1641 rebellion.
https://www.historyireland.com/what-about-islandmagee-another-version-of-the-1641-rebellion/
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I'd just recorded Part II of my consideration of Forgiveness and Recrimination in a post-conflict Northern Ireland when my SSD gave up the ghost. On retrospect it may have been a blessing in disguise as I wasn't completely happy with the experimental format of the episode, besides I'd only noticed several dropouts in the recording just as I was completing it which would've meant rerecording it!
So, I'm going to revise the format and presentation of Part II. It'll also give me a chance to do a bit more research too. Therefore, Part II will follow this episode.
In terms of this episode, well it sort of ran away with itself, or my mind unspooled slightly (probably both are apt!). I was just reminded - by what or who I don't recall, it may even have been one of my many so called 'hallucinations' (I go along with my psychiatrist on that terminology, but my 'hallucinations' have substance. Still, agreeing with the professionals sometimes makes for an easier road.
Anyway, this episode is a bit scattergun. I wanted to consider my juxtaposition - as a RUC officer - to that of a member of PIRA whom I had stopped sometime after PIRA's second ceasefire, and possibly closer to the Good Friday Agreement. It's a quite mundane tale, but again, I feel. highlights the multiplicity demanded by the (RUC) job.
I promise 'normal service' will be resumed next episode as my new laptop is all whistles and bells, plus I flew through this recording in a fraction of the time it used to take me on my now defunct one - I don't have to watch the recording software hang for ages and then crash either!
Once again, many thanks for sticking with me through these podcasts, or even just listening in once or twice before deciding it's not for you.
This episode is Part One of Two in which I look at two atrocities, one in 1972 and one in 1987, through the words of two fathers who both experienced the murder of one of their children. Ultimately, this episode will, I hope, help me explore the aspect of 'forgiveness' in the context of conflict, specifically the Troubles.
In Part Two (the concluding episode) I would hope to be freer to voice my thoughts - not only on the aspect of 'forgiveness', but also on that of the seeking of an apology, of sorts, as well as repentance from the Provisional IRA.
In Part One I have used extracts from the following books:
- On The Waterfront, Parker, Joseph D., The Pentland Press, 2000
- Lost Lives. McKittrick, David, et al, Mainstream Publishing 2004
In this episode I am focusing on two Troubles' murders, those of RUC Sgt Hugh Brendan McCormac and Pat Finucane. Both men were slaughtered in front of their wives and young children. While this episode concludes the theme of 'Doorstep Murders' I felt that these two cases - from the thousands murdered during the Troubles - demonstrated how the killers thought nothing of murdering their victims in very close proximity to the respective families.
I do go digress here and there, but I sincerely hope I am able to adequately convey my thoughts without exhausting your patience.
I was also minded of, but didn't have time to include in the episode, the following poem by Michael Longley...
The Civil Servant
He was preparing an Ulster fry for breakfast
When someone walked into the kitchen and shot him:
A bullet entered his mouth and pierced his skull,
The books he had read, the music he could play.
Hlay in his dressing gown and pyjamas
While they dusted the dresser for fingerprints
And then shuffled backwards across the garden
With notebooks, cameras and measuring tapes.
They rolled him up like a red carpet and left
Only a bullet hole in the cutlery drawer
Later his widow took a hammer and chisel
And removed the black keys from his piano.
In this episode I return to narrative form through which to recount an actual doorstep shooting that occurred in Belfast 1979. As always, names have been changed as well as the Provisional IRA gunman's ground support being slightly altered.
After the main body of the occurrence there follows an account of the victim's recollections and thoughts (this may be similar to the Victim Impact Statements of today).
This is then immediately followed by segments from a (wider) interview of the gunman post-Good Friday Agreement and in the USA.
This is just a very succinct update on upcoming episodes and the future of the podcast.
Many thanks. I owe a massive debt of gratitude to all who have - and continued to - listen to my thoughts, experiences and reflections on my time as an officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary during the Northern Ireland Troubles.
In this episode I briefly recount some of my experiences as an RUC baton gunner. Obviously this is a very contentious subject and I am very cognizant of this. Seventeen civilians were killed by rubber or plastic bullets during the Troubles, eight of the dead were children, all of the dead were catholic. Many others have been gravely injured by the weapon.
There remain arguments for its use, as well as arguments against. As I say these are wholly my own thoughts and experiences surrounding my role as an RUC baton gunner.
I hope you find something of interest in this episode and, as always, I appreciate your time in listening to such.
In this episode I take a look at Dissident Irish Republican micro-groups. Rather than a case of considering some of their 'military actions', I'll be focusing on republican ideology as well as theology.
How do dissidents view themselves as opposed to Sinn Fein?
What drives their appetite for continuing violence?
Is there much difference between dissidents and organised crime groups?
I hope to, if not answer some of the above then give food for thought, plus look briefly at the statement by PIRA / Sinn Fein that there was 'no alternative' to waging a campaign of violence.
In this the second, and concluding part, of my look at the recent BBC TV drama Blue Lights, a drama based on frontline policing in the PSNI, I'll be ruminating on aspects such as threats against police, extra-marital affairs in the RUC / PSNI, the depiction of MI5 and Special Branch in the drama.
Obviously this episode is peppered with SPOILERS,
I do think I saw a little subtext in the drama too - I'm most likely wrong, but I thought I'd discuss it anyway to see if it makes sense. This element would very briefly concern the RUC's transition into the PSNI.
Thank you again, and I hope you enjoy this episode.
Using this opportunity to have a break, of sorts, from specific topics which I'd encountered throughout my RUC / PSNI career. Instead, I'm looking at the recent BBC TV drama Blue Lights, a drama based on frontline policing in the PSNI.
I'll spend this episode and the following looking at some of the characterisations and narrative strands within Blue Lights while reflecting upon similar in the context of my career in policing both the Troubles and the 'peace'.
I hope you enjoy them. From looking at my notes I think my concluding Blue Lights episode will be slightly longer as I'll be looking at affairs between the ranks (anonymous, of course), MI5 and Special Branch, as well as how - I interpreted - the scriptwriters had embodied the RUCs transition into the PSNI.
Thank you, as ever.
In this episode I'll be recounting an incident which occurred in Ballymurphy, West Belfast, 1993.
It involved uniformed RUC officers, CID and members of the British Army. The local PIRA ASU were also involved in the planning and preparation of an attack on the security forces.
I'll also be reflecting upon our memorialising and structuring of folk-memory in the context of the Northern Ireland Troubles. The episode is presented within a narrative framework.
During the Troubles the squeeze of a trigger or flick of a switch could quickly turn the events of the day from mundane to inhumane. For the majority of the time the victims of shootings or bombings would have been vastly unaware of their fate. But sometimes not. How do you process the possibility of confronting someone who wants to murder you?
The following occurrence in this episode actually unfolded in the manner recounted. I was present along with two of my colleagues. We were in uniform and on duty. It's a shorter episode that those which have gone before and I hope its brevity does not dilute the gravity of the situation.
Thanks for listening.
In Part II of 'In Bloody Protest For A Glorious Thing' I continue my thoughts on militant Republicanism in the context of 'Heroic-Sacrifice' and a mythic past to which the Patriot Dead added their names for 'Ireland's freedom'.
Ultimately what I wanted to do was look at the literary and historical sources extant in Irish Republicanism which informed its evolving ideology as well as providing PIRA volunteers with the mental tools whereby they could quite happily someone like myself while feeling wholly justified and unconcerned.
Maybe the oppressed learn from the brutal methodology of their oppressor? One thing I have come to understand - a long time ago - is that our conflict, the Troubles, is far from simply black and white. The interpretations of who is on the 'Good side' as opposed to who is on the 'bad side' is very subjective and depends on the narrator at the time.
This was an incredibly difficult episode for me to assemble, construct, and complete. My mental health took a bit of a bashing, but I think it remains therapeutic in some way?
Anyway, thank you again for your generosity of interest. In the next episode I would like to recount several occurrences which happened to me while in the RUC, but which may be a little more light-hearted than those proceeding.
Part I of II:
In this episode I discuss the perception of the Royal Ulster Constabulary held by the Irish Nationalist / Republican community which grew from incidents such as Burntollet Bridge and police baton charges in Derry during the beginning of the Troubles. To do so I look at the actions of the State in respect of that community as well as some of my own encounters and thoughts. To conclude I consider the Hunger Strikes of 1980/81.
In Part II I continue my thoughts on the legacy of the Hunger Strikes through to the Good Friday Agreement and the subsequent dissolution of the RUC. I will pepper this episode with my own thoughts and experiences in respect of the ceasefires, policing for change and the advent of the PSNI.
Thank you to all who continue to indulge my podcasts. I am immensely grateful.
*'In Bloody Protest For A Glorious Thing' is a line from The Mother by Patrick Pearse
Since the establishment of Northern Ireland in 1921, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary a year later, it has been acknowledged that the RUC was overwhelmingly comprised of those from the protestant community within Northern Ireland. This factor led, in small part, to a lineage of 'police families'; fathers, mothers, sons and daughters continuing the tradition of their forbearers by enlisting as RUC officers. When the Troubles ignited in 1969 it saw the RUC become over-stretched and constantly having to adapt and counter an increasingly hostile landscape of terrorism which took a heavy toll on mundane policing practices. It wasn't long before Loyalist paramilitaries assumed a role by which they envisaged themselves as having to project their own communities given a, perceived, growing absence of police from those areas. But just how did Loyalist terrorists see themselves in relation to the RUC and how did that relationship crumble over the period of the Troubles? This is what I hope to discuss in the episode. However, I have not been able to include all I wished and therefore there may be a further episode considering Loyalism and the RUC.
In this episode I recount a gun and rocket attack against members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary which took place in Newry during the very late 1980s. The attack was coordinated by the south Armagh Provisional IRA along with elements of the Newry PIRA.
As ever, the identity of any individuals involved has been heavily cloaked through changes and alterations to names, locations, characteristics and nuances. The location of the attack remains the same.
In the following episode I will be taking a break from these retellings and focus on attitudes towards policing in Northern Ireland, both in a Troubles and post-Troubles context.
In this episode I recount a sniper attack upon a joint army / RUC foot patrol in West Belfast. To better relate the incident I have characterised both state and non-state actors. I have also used a narrative framework to provide a clearer image of those involved. This account is lifted from personal involvement as well as information available to me at the time, and later. As ever, names and some details have been omitted or altered.
The primary characters in this episode are:
Dee - a member of a PIRA Belfast Active Service Unit
Samuel - a British Army a PFC based in Springfield Road RUC Station, Belfast
Sandy - a RUC neighbourhood officer stationed in Springfield Road RUC
Law in the Country of Cats
When two men meet for the first time in all
Eternity and outright hate each other,
Not as a beggar-man and a rich man,
Not as cuckold-maker and cuckold,
Not as bully and delicate boy, but
As dog and wolf because their blood before
They are aware has bristled into their hackles,
Because one has clubbed the other to death
[...]
When two men at first meeting hate each other
Even in passing, without words, in the street,
[...]
There will be that moment's horrible pause
As each looks into the gulf in the eye of the other,
Then a flash of violent incredible action,
Then one man letting his brains gently to the gutter
[...]
Ted Hughes
West Belfast. Early 1990s. Royal Ulster Constabulary officers are lured to address. Waiting for them is an Improvised Explosive Device and a 'murder corridor' engineered and primed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
Presented in a narrative framework this episode explores the impact on ordinary members of the public who find themselves caught up in a plot to murder police and / or soldiers. As with previous episodes the incident is one I recall. I have embellished the characterisations from memory and recorded statements, however as with the location and time the actual incident took place I have changed or altered names and locations as well as the identity of anyone involved, including police.
Thank you for your continued support and interest. This podcast also helps me deal with my Complex PTSD as well as to try and understand my past in such a way that I may imform my present.
Coming soon: Episode Seven - an account of a sniper attack on police.
This episode details a gun attack on members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary at Grosvenor Road RUC station, Belfast in 1992. One officer received a gunshot wound as a result of the attack.
The incident also involves a Special Branch asset (tout / agent) and his handler.
To better relate the incident I have created three narrators:
Jude - a member of the Provisional IRA
Mark - a Special Branch officer
Richard - a member of the RUC Full-Time Reserve
The above are based on real people involved in the incident. I have also taken the opportunity to expand upon their personalities given information known to me and on speaking to a number of parties involved - directly and indirectly. Obviously, names and specifics of the incident have been altered or changed.
Thank you for listening.
The next episode will recount an incident involving an IED and a very frustrated PIRA active service unit.
A narrative account of the attempted murder of a RUC officer during August 1987. This incident occurred in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. Like so many other incidents at the time it went unreported by local news outlets (during the 1980s and early 1990s the frequency of terrorist attacks usually meant only those causing death, serious injury or extensive damage to property were reported).
Again, I have used 'narrators' in order to enhance the listening experience. Naturally, the names used are not those of the actual persons involved. The sequence of events and location remains unchanged.
This episode is based on an actual occurrence I experienced a number of times in the 1980s. It's recounted in narrative form using three narrators, the primary one being an RUC officer. If this format is preferred by you please let me know (Twitter: @redbrickedslums). If it proves so I'll upload further tales from the Troubles using this form. Thank you.
In this episode I'm looking at how Troubles era Belfast has been represented in fiction. I'll be providing some thoughts and examples of such. Another aspect I touch on is that of 'The Other', which gives me an opportunity to recite some Heaney, too.
In Part Two - which will form Stray Bullets episode 3 - I'll be talking about my observations and thoughts on the tribalism, sectarianism and totems which I encountered during my service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and, latterly, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, from the mid-1980s.
My novel The Bitter End of Dreams is still available via Amazon and you can send me any feedback etc at Twitter: @redbrickedslums
In this first episode - or introduction - I talk a bit about my background, how I came to write a novel set during the Troubles, and why I decided to blend genres. I'll also give an explanation as to why I chose Mithraism over Christianity as the novel's primary religion.