Brief Reflections On The Past Few Episodes

Thank you to everyone's who's listened. I hope you got something from my podcast, no matter how small or fleeting. It's time to call time on the whole enterprise. There's a number of reasons, some I talk about in the podcast, but also the fact that - as far as general interest goes - the Royal Ulster Constabulary has long faded into the fog of history. Of course, given our divided society we (the RUC) are viewed as either murderous demons or selfless angels. Whichever reference suits whoever's agenda at the time is of no interest to me anymore.Plus, if you look at Irish literature these days the aspect of narratives set during the Troubles is also diminishing. Now, most authors who choose to write about the subject will do through a post-Troubles' lens; through a character's memories, or even a reference to a fading mural. Also, this would be a goodtime to express my gratitude to those authors and historians who've lifted elements from my podcast - I don't expect to be credited, so that was never an issue.The station gates are finally closing for one last time. I'll keep the episodes up for a month or two then cancel my sub to Buzzsprout as I could use the money to buy more books and vinyls.Many thanks!     Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Just a short notice in relation to the longevity of the podcast.Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

In light of the conviction of Jeffrey Donaldson on Monday 22nd June 2026 I thought I'd take a look at some of the behaviour employed by sex offenders, especially in the context of Protestant Fundamentalist Christianity. I also look at the similar organisational environments where corruption can thrive due to collectivist mindsets.There has been a disgraceful surge in members of the DUP, Unionism and even loyalism clamouring to distance themselves from Donaldson as well as decrying his behaviour. A number of political and public figures also openly intimating that they were of his predatory and, in some cases, hypocritical behaviour, yet these self same paragons of virtue kept quiet about such, why? I look at possible reasons, too. Are we now, yet again, witnessing the rot and ruin behind the DUP's godly-white walls? Also, here's the link for Chris Moore's definitive book about Kincora cover-up References:Dos Santos, Simone Miranda and Lemes, Sirei, Corruption and Religiosity: A Cross-Country Analysis Medicated by Accounting Quality, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil, 2022         Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

The violence of the past week has brought Northern Ireland to the global media stage (violence and intolerance are two of our best products!). Fuelled by an abhorrent attempted murder which was seized upon by right-wing populist groups, idealogues, demagogues as well as several extremely wealthy sponsors of right-wing political parties. Of course, a number of clandestine foreign actors employed agitprop, militant accelerationism and and synthetic media also added fuel to the fires. Naturally, homegrown organised crime groups (UDA, UVF etc.) also clambered aboard, coercing youths into racism, rioting, 'green-lighting' streets / addresses / premises to be attacked and destroyed, as well as intimidation and threats to anyone who wasn't white. There was much faux handwringing in some political corners, noticeably those who seek to normalise racist attitudes as a strategy to secure votes and power. Others in the NI Assembly simply muttered about 'legitimate concerns' while turning their back to burning homes. It seems in Northern Ireland continued political dysfunction, failure and apathy are best illuminated by the light of a burning nurse's car.           Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Continuing my look at asset handling during the Troubles. Some asides included: the light and dark of Special Branch as imagined by popular media (Blue Lights), the aspect of 'reputation', organisational and personal. Finally, some extracts from The Bass Player by Stephen Travers.The Bass Player: Surviving the Miami Showband Massacre Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Just a revisit to aspects of asset-handling / management post-Kenova. I conscious of not wishing to tread over old ground, but it may be inevitable given how much the subject matter overlaps. If you'd like to hear more in-depth discussions about asset handling and the intelligence community during the Troubles you can find this in my episodes entitled Stakeknife et al.  Hope you find this, and succeeding episodes, informative.Many thanksClick here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

I know. I do tend to stumble through my thoughts, at times spilling out a stream of consciousness. Nevertheless, I just recently realised that it's been just over forty years since I joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary. I hadn't a clue then, and, most likely, still haven't?! So, I've tried to restrict what I want to say in this episode - the vast bulk of the subject matter I raise I've already covered in previous episodes about the Hunger Strikes, commemoration of the past, 'imagined communities' (especially Loyalist - and how Loyalism could quickly turn on the police if, for example, Orange parades were rerouted).Listening to myself I wonder at times if I do have some form of Stockholm Syndrome? I mean, I've always tried to conduct myself with even a modicum of empathy, or need to understand counter-narratives and opposing ideologies, but have I strayed over the 'empathy line' too far? I don't know. Many of my ex-RUC colleagues would say I have and that, being of 'soft-mind' and a traitor to organisational memory / mythology, I'm welcome to stay there! Anyway, tomorrow I begin scripting out my episodes returning to the subject of asset management, the Intelligence Services, collusion, murder, relative legislative points and things like RIPA.I hope you'll join me - if you make it through this episode unscathed, or just bemused!           Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Well, just over forty years ago I joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary. So, I'd like to make my next podcast one in which I over my time in the RUC / PSNI. Hopefully I can draw on events that I've not, so far, included in my previous podcasts as well as trying to keep things light.I've nearly completed revisions for my upcoming podcasts revisiting the Intelligence Services and Asset Handling etc., during the Troubles, I just need to go over some aspects of relevant legislation and transcripts. The above podcast will provide me with a bit of a breather before I enter the world of counter-terrorism again, plus a break from P. & B & D & I who've been slagging me off again in the 19th hole ; )  Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.Support the showMédecins Sans FrontièresUnicefPEN International