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.
Episodes
65 episodes
Racism in East Belfast: Outsiders and the Lingering Fear of Cultural Loss
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 t...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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59:25
Minor Addendum for: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part IV
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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Season 3
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Episode 20
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17:19
Isolation: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part IV
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! ...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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1:08:18
Brief Preamble to Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part III
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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Season 3
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Episode 18
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15:57
No Songs for the Children
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 betwee...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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27:51
'A Black Man is better than a Fenian': Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part II
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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1:10:20
They Had Their Loyalties: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI
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 aga...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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1:04:50
'Who Are The Disloyal?' Northern Ireland and the Experience of Catholic Police Officers [TRAILER]
Forthcoming episode...
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Season 3
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9:12
Northern Ireland, the Far-right and the Failure of Political Unionism
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 communit...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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30:46
Addendum for All the Elements of a Police State John Montague
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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Season 3
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Episode 13
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28:14
'All the elements of a police state': John Montague's Ulster
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 you...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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53:53
Northern Ireland: A Police State?
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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Season 3
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2:46
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part IV: 'To Die A Soldier's Death ... '
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 confron...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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50:25
Kneecap: The Politics of Protest
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 po...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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34:12
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part II: Utopia through Atrocity?
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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43:41
Policing in Northern Ireland: Another Troubles' Hangover?
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 overstretc...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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35:25
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part II: 'The Thing Was Always Planned.'
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 e...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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55:35
The Post-Policing Gaze: Problems of Ego and Reputation
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 recruitme...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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42:41
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part I: From NICRA to OCGs
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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38:56
Stakeknife and the Ripple of Terror. Addendum: 'Enjoy the War, the Peace Is Going to be Terrible!'
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 ...
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Season 3
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17:58
Stakeknife and the Ripple of Terror. Part III: Court Martials and a pause for now.
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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47:27