Stray Bullets
The Stray Bullets podcast, hosted by E.S. Haggan, frequently discusses the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), often drawing on Haggan's experiences as a former RUC/PSNI officer.
The podcast delves into various aspects of the RUC, including:
- The Troubles: Haggan openly addresses policing during the Troubles, including religion, politics, sectarianism, and related ideologies.
- Collusion: Episodes explore allegations of RUC collusion with loyalist paramilitaries and related inquiries like the Stevens Inquiries.
- Catholic officers: The podcast examines the experiences of Catholic police officers within the RUC and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), highlighting challenges like isolation, sectarianism, and racism.
- Specific incidents: Haggan discusses specific events and atrocities related to the Troubles, using his novel "The Bitter End of Dreams" as a framework to explore these topics while avoiding potential libel.
The podcast provides a unique perspective on the RUC and the Troubles, informed by Haggan's personal experiences and detailed discussions of his novel.
'There are no facts, only interpretations.'
Friedrich Nietzsche
Stray Bullets
In Bloody Protest For A Glorious Thing Part I
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
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
Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.
