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.
Stray Bullets
Armagh GAA Bags All-Ireland Win As PSNI On Hot Coals Overs Flags
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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