Stray Bullets
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.
*Apologies to the many folks who conversed with me on several social media platforms. Due to the level of hate, including threats, from ex-RUC colleagues I've decided to stay off social media and the like. I'm very dismayed by such reaction, but, in hindsight, no longer surprised.*
Stray Bullets
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 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!
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