Best E.S. Haggan Podcasts (2025)

1
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part II: Utopia through Atrocity? 42:36

2d ago42:36

42:36

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 Press, 1993 Hennessey, Thomas, Northern Ireland: the Origins of the Troubles, Dublin, Gill & Macmillan, 2005 Smith, Anthony…

1
New Episode Dropping Very Soon 6:03

9d ago6:03

6:03

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.By E.S. Haggan

1
Policing in Northern Ireland: Another Troubles' Hangover? 34:20

26d ago34:20

34:20

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 overstretched. I also briefly talk about my feelings surrounding the continuing intransigence of the Intelligence Services…

1
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part II: 'The Thing Was Always Planned.' 54:30

1M ago54:30

54:30

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 ever I must admit to straying off on one - or two - tangents, such as a 'murder safari', a term I've coined for, well, it'll become evide…

1
The Post-Policing Gaze: Problems of Ego and Reputation 41:36

1M ago41:36

41:36

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 recruitment as well as the 'post-policing gaze' that preoccupies an awful lot of police officers: past, present and probably fu…

1
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part I: From NICRA to OCGs 37:51

2M ago37:51

37:51

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 PIRA's Green Book and which leads me on to present day Northern Ireland's plague of violent organised cri…

1
Trailer for State-Terrorism + Did PIRA Really Have No Alternative To Violence? 8:36

2M ago8:36

8:36

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.By E.S. Haggan

1
Stakeknife and the Ripple of Terror. Addendum: 'Enjoy the War, the Peace Is Going to be Terrible!' 16:53

3M ago16:53

16:53

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 of the killing of Pearce Jordan in 1992 by the SSU. RUC man who shot unarmed PIRA man told doctor job had been "…

1
Stakeknife and the Ripple of Terror. Part III: Court Martials and a pause for now. 46:22

3M ago46:22

46:22

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 of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Troubles. I close this episode with a few anecdotal reflections …

1
Brief response re queries about my novel 10:24

3M ago10:24

10:24

Another very short interlude just in respect of those who've been discovering my first couple of episodes and if my novel is still available. The link is here. It's self-published as I wrote it as personal therapy, more than anything else. I've kept the price for the paperback as low as I can (it really just covers Amazon's costs etc.). I've embedd…

1
Brief re some upcoming episodes for 2025 8:04

3M ago8:04

8:04

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.By E.S. Haggan

1
Stakeknife and the Ripple of Terror. Part II: An Unreliable Narrator 58:08

4M ago58:08

58:08

A lot packed into this episode, partly by design, partly by divergence. Continuing on the theme of assets, handlers, TCG and RUC Special Branch. How were things managed, or mismanaged? Troubles' history remains fertile ground into which black propaganda may be seeded by both state and non-state actors. Each 'side' alluding that they fought a 'just …

1
Stakeknife and the Ripple of Terror. Part I: Just War Unjust Peace 48:31

4M ago48:31

48:31

2025 and many journalists, as well as 'security commentors', circle John Boucher's suite and Sir Iain Livingstone's secretary as they vie for an 'exclusive' and / or interview upon the publication of the full Op Kenova report. Already there's been a gradual flurry of activity in the form of publications touting to have the real story of 'Stakeknife…

1
'A sledgehammer used to miss a fly': Counterinsurgency and State Violence Part II 1:03:11

5M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

This episode concludes (for the time being anyway!) my look at the RUC and accusations of collusion. However, as I write this more seeds of research into this topic are dropping into my inbox! Nevertheless, this episode shifts from the early 1920s through to the recent Troubles, and via Ireland and Palestine. I sincerely hope you find something of …

1
'Better to have one man whom you can hang': Counterinsurgency and State Violence Part I 1:01:49

5M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

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 …

1
All The Dead Men's Dreams: Sinn Féin, Commemoration and the Complex Reality of Ireland 37:09

6M ago37:09

37:09

Another unplanned episode. This time I consider Michelle O'Neill's laying of a wreath at the cenotaph in Belfast on Remembrance Sunday and the reaction to same. I guess the theme of this episode is the complex reality of Ireland and this got me thinking about Francis Ledwidge also, so I've included a very brief musing on the complex (contradictory(…

1
The Royal Ulster Constabulary and Collusion: Intelligence Collisions and Contamination 46:52

6M ago46:52

46:52

This episode continues my look at the Royal Ulster Constabulary and allegations of collusion. To be honest, I naively thought that I would, most likely, have provided an overarching look at the subject in a couple of episodes. I was wrong. Given the amount of material I've obtained, together with ex-RUC and military colleagues I've gathered much mo…

1
Quick Changeover 9:25

6M ago9:25

9:25

This is just an extremely brief update to let you know what to expect on the next episode. Also, Buzzsprout have put a link on the Stray Bullets webpage which lets you send me feedback about the podcast (they call it 'fan mail', but that's quite subjective I imagine!). Many thanks, Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank yo…

1
The Royal Ulster Constabulary and Collusion: Agent Handling Part I 59:56

7M ago59:56

59:56

This episode continues my look at allegations of collusion against the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Obviously, there's nothing revelatory within (other than some aspects of agent handling and possible pitfalls of such). There's nothing to breach the Official Secrets Act either. In saying all that I sincerely hope that the biographical book extracts, …

1
The Royal Ulster Constabulary and Collusion: Agent Handling Part II 26:50

7M ago26:50

26:50

This is the concluding episode in which I look at issues related by a retired RUC Special Branch officer as quoted from the work cited below, as well as my thoughts on such. Work cited in this episode: Barker, Alan, 'Shadows: Inside Northern Ireland's Special Branch', Mainstream Publishing Company (Edinburgh) Ltd, 2004 Click here if you’d like to s…

1
The Royal Ulster Constabulary and Collusion: Impromptu Episode: Intelligence Streams 28:54

7M ago28:54

28:54

This is an interim, or rather impromptu, episode of sorts. In it I consider my working relationship with an Intelligence Cell within the British Army during the very early years of my career, and how it became affected following the brutal murder of Loughlin Maginn in 1989. As such I hope to complete a more comprehensive and concluding episode look…

1
Blue Lights and Love Squads 25:40

8M ago25:40

25:40

Another unplanned episode, but one generated from a number of questions I've received from listeners asking if I'd planned to discuss Blue Lights Season 2 in much the same way as I did for Season 1. Also, the anecdotes about illicit love trysts in the PSNI was of great interest (which also featured as part of the Blue Lights episodes). To be honest…

1
The Royal Ulster Constabulary and Collusion. Part I: Personal Observations 51:48

8M ago51:48

51:48

Given the contentious nature of the subject topic discussed in this episode I've added some caveats which I've outlined at the beginning. I'd just have to reiterate that the episode just reflects my own personal observations plus awareness of incidents, and remain my own interpretations of such. Having said that, I feel this subject will inevitably…

1
Armagh GAA Bags All-Ireland Win As PSNI On Hot Coals Overs Flags 31:55

9M ago31:55

31:55

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 f…

1
Our Troubled Past: The Glory and the Grief 54:09

9M ago54:09

54:09

In this episode I attempt to conclude my thoughts on the aspects of Forgiveness and Recrimination in Northern Ireland's post-Troubles' society. In saying that, I'll add the caveat that I'll most likely be revisiting nuances of such topics threaded through future episodes. For the time being I'm looking at how we memorialise the past in terms of 'is…

1
Squaring The Circle 49:25

10M ago49:25

49:25

Will there be a time when we, in Northern Ireland, see our seemingly parallel divergent histories cross? Our opposing narratives blend with commonality. As a society still raw from sectarian and political conflict many are trying to step away from hate, but there are still those who fear any admission of culpability will render them vulnerable. In …

1
Rattlebag II: Addendum - The Forgotten Op 16:40

10M ago16:40

16:40

Just a bolt-on tale I omitted to include in the previous episode: 'Rattlebag'. Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you.By E.S. Haggan

1
Rattlebag: An Interlude 35:34

10M ago35:34

35:34

This episode is, in itself, an interlude before I continue my theme of reconciliation and recrimination. I just needed a breather of sorts and to realign my thoughts, which had been threatening to scatter. Just some (brief) ruminations herein on a few innocuous memories from my time in both the Royal Ulster Constabulary and PSNI. Many thanks to tho…

1
A Hard and Bitter Circle 51:08

11M ago51:08

51:08

In this episode I'll be continuing to look at the aspect of Forgiveness and Recrimination which I began in the episode, 'I Bear No Grudge'. Given the amount of material I've gathered to date, I sense that the topic will continue on for several more episodes. In this episode I employ two poems by John Hewitt: 'The Iron Circle' and 'The Bloody Brae' …

1
An Unintended Interlude 44:20

11M ago44:20

44:20

I'd just recorded Part II of my consideration of Forgiveness and Recrimination in a post-conflict Northern Ireland when my SSD gave up the ghost. On retrospect it may have been a blessing in disguise as I wasn't completely happy with the experimental format of the episode, besides I'd only noticed several dropouts in the recording just as I was com…

1
I Bear No Grudge 38:05

1y ago38:05

38:05

This episode is Part One of Two in which I look at two atrocities, one in 1972 and one in 1987, through the words of two fathers who both experienced the murder of one of their children. Ultimately, this episode will, I hope, help me explore the aspect of 'forgiveness' in the context of conflict, specifically the Troubles. In Part Two (the concludi…

1
Doorstep Shootings Part II: Tunnel Vision 47:58

1y ago47:58

47:58

In this episode I am focusing on two Troubles' murders, those of RUC Sgt Hugh Brendan McCormac and Pat Finucane. Both men were slaughtered in front of their wives and young children. While this episode concludes the theme of 'Doorstep Murders' I felt that these two cases - from the thousands murdered during the Troubles - demonstrated how the kille…

1
Doorstep Shootings in Northern Ireland. Part I: Just a Uniform 47:26

1+ y ago47:26

47:26

In this episode I return to narrative form through which to recount an actual doorstep shooting that occurred in Belfast 1979. As always, names have been changed as well as the Provisional IRA gunman's ground support being slightly altered. After the main body of the occurrence there follows an account of the victim's recollections and thoughts (th…

1
Briefing Book 9:09

1+ y ago9:09

9:09

This is just a very succinct update on upcoming episodes and the future of the podcast. Many thanks. I owe a massive debt of gratitude to all who have - and continued to - listen to my thoughts, experiences and reflections on my time as an officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary during the Northern Ireland Troubles. Click here if you’d like to sen…

1
Use of Force: Behind the Baton Gun with an RUC Officer 31:13

1+ y ago31:13

31:13

In this episode I briefly recount some of my experiences as an RUC baton gunner. Obviously this is a very contentious subject and I am very cognizant of this. Seventeen civilians were killed by rubber or plastic bullets during the Troubles, eight of the dead were children, all of the dead were catholic. Many others have been gravely injured by the …

1
Unfinished Revolutions? Dissident Irish Republicanism and its Ideology of Violence 30:25

1+ y ago30:25

30:25

In this episode I take a look at Dissident Irish Republican micro-groups. Rather than a case of considering some of their 'military actions', I'll be focusing on republican ideology as well as theology. How do dissidents view themselves as opposed to Sinn Fein? What drives their appetite for continuing violence? Is there much difference between dis…

1
Blue Lights: PSNI Police Procedural TV Drama. How realistic is it? Part II 28:54

2y ago28:54

28:54

In this the second, and concluding part, of my look at the recent BBC TV drama Blue Lights, a drama based on frontline policing in the PSNI, I'll be ruminating on aspects such as threats against police, extra-marital affairs in the RUC / PSNI, the depiction of MI5 and Special Branch in the drama. Obviously this episode is peppered with SPOILERS, I …

1
Blue Lights: PSNI Police Procedural TV Drama. How realistic is it? Part I 18:55

2y ago18:55

18:55

Using this opportunity to have a break, of sorts, from specific topics which I'd encountered throughout my RUC / PSNI career. Instead, I'm looking at the recent BBC TV drama Blue Lights, a drama based on frontline policing in the PSNI. I'll spend this episode and the following looking at some of the characterisations and narrative strands within Bl…

1
An undraped fire, flashes its fire within 29:16

2y ago29:16

29:16

In this episode I'll be recounting an incident which occurred in Ballymurphy, West Belfast, 1993. It involved uniformed RUC officers, CID and members of the British Army. The local PIRA ASU were also involved in the planning and preparation of an attack on the security forces. I'll also be reflecting upon our memorialising and structuring of folk-m…

1
From Banality to Atrocity? 17:44

2y ago17:44

17:44

During the Troubles the squeeze of a trigger or flick of a switch could quickly turn the events of the day from mundane to inhumane. For the majority of the time the victims of shootings or bombings would have been vastly unaware of their fate. But sometimes not. How do you process the possibility of confronting someone who wants to murder you? The…

1
In Bloody Protest For A Glorious Thing Part II 37:29

2+ y ago37:29

37:29

In Part II of 'In Bloody Protest For A Glorious Thing' I continue my thoughts on militant Republicanism in the context of 'Heroic-Sacrifice' and a mythic past to which the Patriot Dead added their names for 'Ireland's freedom'. Ultimately what I wanted to do was look at the literary and historical sources extant in Irish Republicanism which informe…

1
In Bloody Protest For A Glorious Thing Part I 27:33

2+ y ago27:33

27:33

Part I of II: In this episode I discuss the perception of the Royal Ulster Constabulary held by the Irish Nationalist / Republican community which grew from incidents such as Burntollet Bridge and police baton charges in Derry during the beginning of the Troubles. To do so I look at the actions of the State in respect of that community as well as s…

1
Imagined Communities: The RUC and Loyalism 32:32

2+ y ago32:32

32:32

Since the establishment of Northern Ireland in 1921, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary a year later, it has been acknowledged that the RUC was overwhelmingly comprised of those from the protestant community within Northern Ireland. This factor led, in small part, to a lineage of 'police families'; fathers, mothers, sons and daughters continuing the…

1
A Rope of Smoke, A Noose of Fire 38:41

2+ y ago38:41

38:41

In this episode I recount a gun and rocket attack against members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary which took place in Newry during the very late 1980s. The attack was coordinated by the south Armagh Provisional IRA along with elements of the Newry PIRA. As ever, the identity of any individuals involved has been heavily cloaked through changes and …

1
The Gulf In The Eye Of The Other 38:09

3y ago38:09

38:09

In this episode I recount a sniper attack upon a joint army / RUC foot patrol in West Belfast. To better relate the incident I have characterised both state and non-state actors. I have also used a narrative framework to provide a clearer image of those involved. This account is lifted from personal involvement as well as information available to m…

1
The Murder Corridor 36:58

3y ago36:58

36:58

West Belfast. Early 1990s. Royal Ulster Constabulary officers are lured to address. Waiting for them is an Improvised Explosive Device and a 'murder corridor' engineered and primed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. Presented in a narrative framework this episode explores the impact on ordinary members of the public who find themselves caugh…

1
No Small Mercy 37:20

3y ago37:20

37:20

This episode details a gun attack on members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary at Grosvenor Road RUC station, Belfast in 1992. One officer received a gunshot wound as a result of the attack. The incident also involves a Special Branch asset (tout / agent) and his handler. To better relate the incident I have created three narrators: Jude - a member …

1
Nothing Personal 39:03

3y ago39:03

39:03

A narrative account of the attempted murder of a RUC officer during August 1987. This incident occurred in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. Like so many other incidents at the time it went unreported by local news outlets (during the 1980s and early 1990s the frequency of terrorist attacks usually meant only those causing death, serious injury…

1
The Dialogue of Shadows 25:20

3+ y ago25:20

25:20

This episode is based on an actual occurrence I experienced a number of times in the 1980s. It's recounted in narrative form using three narrators, the primary one being an RUC officer. If this format is preferred by you please let me know (Twitter: @redbrickedslums). If it proves so I'll upload further tales from the Troubles using this form. Than…

1
Belfast: A Tale of Two Cities. Part One 26:24

3+ y ago26:24

26:24

In this episode I'm looking at how Troubles era Belfast has been represented in fiction. I'll be providing some thoughts and examples of such. Another aspect I touch on is that of 'The Other', which gives me an opportunity to recite some Heaney, too. In Part Two - which will form Stray Bullets episode 3 - I'll be talking about my observations and t…

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