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
'Better to have one man whom you can hang': Counterinsurgency and State Violence Part I
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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