Best Ruc Podcasts (2024)

1
EX-RUC SPECIAL BRANCH HANDLER Tells His Story | Informers, IRA & M*rder | William Matchett 1:59:14

14d ago1:59:14

1:59:14

William Matchett is an ex-RUC officer who spent years working in the secretive and murky world of informants and agents during his time in Special Branch while “the troubles” raged on. William shares with us his motivations for joining the RUC during such dangerous times, the techniques they utilized to recruit informants, death threats he’s receiv…

1
Witnessing His Father's IRA M*rder | Alan Miles' Story, Son of H-Blocks Deputy Governor Albert Miles 55:43

9h ago55:43

55:43

In a recent episode I interviewed author Dan Lawton about his book focusing on the fallout from the murder of dept Governor, Albert Miles, of the infamous Maze Prison in November 1978 in which an innocent man was convicted. Alan Miles witnessed his father’s brutal murder as a young man at the hands of the IRA but almost immediately got to a place i…

1
Our Troubled Past: The Glory and the Grief 54:56

2h ago54:56

54:56

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
IRA's K*LLING FIELDS - The Story Of The EAST TYRONE IRA | Jon Trigg, Ex-British Army & Author 1:48:13

8d ago1:48:13

1:48:13

Jonathan Trigg’s book “Death In The Fields” examines, in great detail, the infamous East-Tyrone IRA and how this rural group complied some of the republican’s biggest wins and conversely, their most devastating losses. We examine the early days of the unit and how they were formed, the autonomy they enjoyed, the Jim Lynagh “A-Team” era and their de…

1
Squaring The Circle 50:12

5h ago50:12

50:12

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
CATHOLIC PRIEST on Capitol Hill Fighting For IRISH FREEDOM | Fr. Sean McManus 1:48:14

28d ago1:48:14

1:48:14

**Sorry for the late upload my good people.. feel free to follow on YouTube where I'm a bit more on top of things** Fr Sean McManus hails from Co. Fermanagh but was sent, by his superiors in the Catholic, to America early in his career where he continued his fight for Irish freedom. Fr McManus’ tells us about his early life, his older brother who w…

1
Rattlebag II: Addendum - The Forgotten Op 18:57

14d ago18:57

18:57

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 37:51

15d ago37:51

37:51

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
BATTLING THE IRA & LOYALISTS IN TROUBLES-ERA BELFAST | SAS & DET. SURVEILLANCE OPERATOR Mick Hawkes 2:09:28

1M ago2:09:28

2:09:28

Mick Hawkes is an ex-SAS soldier and 14th intel company (the Det.) operator who worked against the IRA and Loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland as part of his military career. Mick tells us about the daily ins and outs of carrying out surveillance on dangerous insurgents, the differences between republican and loyalist paramilitaries, how he…

1
Being IRISH in Birmingham during IRA ENGLAND B*mbing Campaign | Dr. Michael Flavin 1:05:13

1M ago1:05:13

1:05:13

My guest this week is Dr Michael Flavin, child to Irish parents who grew up in Birmingham, England during the IRA’s bombing campaign in England during the troubles. Michael speaks to us about being a part of the Irish diaspora in England, anti-Irish discrimination at the time as well Michael’s writings on IRA leadership and INLA splits. 00:00 “NO B…

1
A Hard and Bitter Circle 53:25

1M ago53:25

53:25

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
INNOCENT MAN FRAMED for IRA M*RDER | How Kevin Barry Artt was falsely convicted & Escaped LONG KESH 50:52

2M ago50:52

50:52

Dan Lawton’s thrilling new book “The Hunted” explores the story of Kevin Barry Artt and how he was false-convicted of the IRA murder of deputy Maze prison governor, Albert Miles. We speak about the so-called “confession factory” Castlereagh, Long Kesh’s Maze prison, the horrors of the “blanket”/“no-wash” protests and how Kevin Barry Artt took part …

1
UK's INTEL WAR against the IRA | Derry IRA, Rural Units & Peace Talks | Thomas Leahy 59:38

2M ago59:38

59:38

For this episode I’m joined by author and lecturer, Thomas Leahy, whose book “The Intelligence War against the IRA” gives a through and detailed account of Britain’s attempts to disrupt and defeat the IRA by way of intel gathering. We discuss the various methods of intel collection, what “intel” is and can be used for in this context, the various t…

1
An Unintended Interlude 46:36

2M ago46:36

46:36

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
TROUBLES-ERA PARA & SAS man tells his story | Belfast RIOTS, South Armagh & more | Harry McCallion 2:09:49

2M ago2:09:49

2:09:49

Harry McCallion is an ex-paratrooper and SAS solider who served in the north during some of the troubles’ most violent years. Harry tells us about the brutal training regime they underwent before deployment, his thoughts on the mistakes that the British army made, his views on the “Ballymurphy Massacre”, his emotional state while policing violent r…

1
1974 DUBLIN/MONAGHAN B*MBING | Robin Jackson, British Army Involvement & more| David Burke, Author 1:09:40

2M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

Author, lawyer and past guest of the show, David Burke reveals a previously unreleased statement from ex-Tara member and close-friend of Robin 'the jackal" Jackson, Charlie Simpson uncovering Jackson and the British Army's involvement in one of the trouble's most heinous attacks. We talk through the events of the tragic day, the logistics of the UV…

1
IRA HELICOPTER ESCAPE Mastermind & Portlaoise Jail Break| Brendan Hughes (Tyrone) IRA COMMANDER 1:50:51

3M ago1:50:51

1:50:51

Brendan Hughes (not to be confused with the deceased Brendan ‘The Dark” Hughes) shares his truly extraordinary life story, a life shaped by his membership of the East-Tyrone PIRA in the early days of the conflict in the North. Brendan tells us about his time ambushing British soldiers in the countryside and robbing banks to fund raise for the IRA a…

1
TROUBLES-ERA BMB DISPOSAL EXPERT | Taking on Belfast's IRA BMB-MAKERS | Steve Smith, British Army 1:09:27

3M ago1:09:27

1:09:27

My guest this week is ex-b*mb disposal man, Steve Smith. Steve worked as a EOD officer in Belfast during the early 80s and worked to rid the city of IRA & Loyalist b*mbs. Steve gives us his insight into the various types of explosives used throughout the conflict, the differences between IRA & Loyalist b*mb-makers, how it feels to put on the b*mb-s…

1
Ex-TEEN UDA FOOTSOLDIER tells his story | RUC Collusion, Sectarian Violence & Escaping the Conflict | Graham Cousins 48:16

3M ago48:16

48:16

Graham Cousins grew up protestant in East Belfast and spent his late-teen years and early 20s in the Ulster Defense Association better known as the UDA, a loyalist paramilitary group formed in the early 70s. He has since become close friends with ex-paramilitaries from the other side including my last guest, ex-b*mb-maker Packy McMahon (https://you…

1
EX-IRA BMB-MAKER tells his story | Bmb-making, Long Kesh & Informers | Packy McMahon 1:13:37

3M ago1:13:37

1:13:37

Patrick “Packy” McMahon is a former provisional IRA bomb maker who was jailed after being caught in the act of manufacturing a 1,500 LB bomb. Packy tells us about growing up as the conflict raged and how his life-long battle with British soldiers began. We spoke about the in and outs of how the IRA manufactured its bombs/explosive devices from begi…

1
EX BRITISH SPY HANDLER speaks out| Stakeknife, Frank Hegarty & Operation Kenova | Ian Hurst ( Martin Ingram) 3:10:20

4M ago3:10:20

3:10:20

Ian Hurst, better known to some as “Martin Ingram” was a member of the Force Research Unit, an intel gathering and spy-handling British security forces group and spent time as a handler in Derry during which time he worked with Frank Hegarty. Ian is best known for co-authoring the book ’Stakeknife” which exposed the exploits of one of the North’s m…

1
Why did SCAPPATICCI become an AGENT?? | EX-BRITISH INTEL MAN IAN HURST speaks out 16:51

3M ago16:51

16:51

*** PREVIEW CLIP*** (I usually don't do this but to fill the void this week here's a snippet from the full episode which will be available on YouTube this week and on podcast platforms next Monday) In a clip from our upcoming 3 + hour interview, ex-FRU handler Ian Hurst (Martin Ingram) gives his take on how he thinks the infamous "Agent Stakeknife"…

1
I Bear No Grudge 40:21

4M ago40:21

40:21

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
THE IRA-SPY THAT STAKEKNIFE K*LLED ?? | Frank Hegarty, Martin McGuinness & Gaddafi's Guns| Henry Hemmings, author 51:40

4M ago51:40

51:40

For this episode I spoke with author Henry Hemming about his most recent book “Four Shots in the Night”, an excellently written true-story of a British army agent within the IRA named Frank Hegarty. Henry talks to us about the army unit that recruited and ran Hegarty, the now infamous FRU (force research unit) and their unique approach to running a…

1
BELFAST'S DARKEST TROUBLES-ERA SCANDAL | The Missing Boys, Kincora, MI5 & Cover-ups | Des Henderson 56:24

4M ago56:24

56:24

For this episode I spoke with filmmaker Des Henderson, about his recent, extremely powerful documentary "Lost Boys: Belfast's Missing Children" which focus on the disappearances of a number of boys in Northern Ireland during the troubles and explores the dark story of Kincora Boys Home. Des tells us about the links that these disappearances may hav…

1
OPERATION KENOVA | STAKEKNIFE, The IRA's Internal Security Unit & Boucher's Report| Ricky O' Rawe 54:14

4M ago54:14

54:14

Ex-IRA volunteer and author of the “Stakeknife's Dirty War", Richard O Rawe returns to the pod to share his analysis on the recently published and long awaited, Operation Kenova (interim report). This was an investigation into the FRU (force research unit) agent code named Stakeknife and the IRA’s internal security unit better known as the “nutting…

1
"THE DISAPPEARED" in IRISH HISTORY - The Troubles, War of Independence and more | Padraig Og O' Ruairc 1:17:55

5M ago1:17:55

1:17:55

Padraig Og O' Ruaric, historian and author of "The Disappeared" speaks to us about his the forced disappearances the have taken place for political reasons in Ireland's often bloody history. We speak about the different reasons for forced disappearances in Ireland's war of independence and civil war committed by both Irish guerrilla fighters and th…

1
THOMAS NEIDERMAYER KIDNAPPING/MRDER | 1973 LONDON BMBINGS, THE PRICE SISTERS & AN INNOCENT MAN'S TRAGIC DEATH 54:52

5M ago54:52

54:52

In this episode author David Blake Knox ("Facedown: The disappearance of Thomas Neidermayer") takes us through the tragic case of German man, Thomas Neidermayer, who was living in the north when he was kidnapped (and killed) by the IRA in an attempt to get Marian and Dolores Price moved to an Irish prison after their 1973 London b*mbing attack. We …

1
Doorstep Shootings Part II: Tunnel Vision 50:14

5M ago50:14

50:14

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
SHOT & BLINDED by BRITISH SOLDIER with a RUBBER-BULLET aged 10 | RICHARD MOORE'S STORY 56:05

5M ago56:05

56:05

Richard Moore grew up in Derry and as a young child experienced life in pre-troubles Northern Ireland before the eruption of a conflict that had been brewing for years. Richard tells us about his memories of the British army as they first came to N.I following the Battle of the Bogside and how they were originally welcomed by the community and how …

1
FRANK KITSON'S LEGACY IN N.I | The MRF, IRA DOUBLE-AGENTS (The "Freds") & Britain's DIRTY WAR IN IRELAND 1:20:42

5M ago1:20:42

1:20:42

David Burke, author of "Kitson’s Irish War: Mastermind of the Dirty War in Ireland" breaks down the work/influence of Brigader Frank Kitson and the infamous "Military Reaction Force" better known as the MRF, The British Army branch who were "there to act like the IRA". David tell us about how Kiston developed the tactics that would used against the…

1
TROUBLES-ERA RUC OFFICER TELLS HIS STORY | Bobby Sands RIOTS, Assassination Plots & more| Stephen White 1:41:25

6M ago1:41:25

1:41:25

Stephen White is former commanding officer of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (police force at the time) during some of Northern Ireland’s most violent and volatile years. Stephen tells us about his early years growing up in an environment where sectarian tension and violence was a constant. Stephen spent time in the Ulster Defense Regiment before he…

1
IRA ASSASSINATION IN CENTRAL PARK NYC | Irish War of Independence double-agent m*rdered | Author Mark Bulik 48:55

6M ago48:55

48:55

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A RATING & SHARE TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROW On April 13th 1922 the war of independence era IRA committed their only murder on US soil when they took revenge on a traitor whose disloyalty had cost 6 members of his old unit their lives. Author Mark Bulik, who has written the first book on the incident shares with us the…

1
REMEMBERING BLOODY SUNDAY & "MY UNCLE JACKIE"| Julieann Campbell, author of "On Bloody Sunday" 50:30

6M ago50:30

50:30

Julieann Campbell's uncle John "Jackie" Duddy was 17 years old when he was shot dead while running away by British soldiers during Bloody Sunday 1972. Julieann's urge to find out whatever she could about the killing of the uncle that she never got to meet for her family would eventually led her to write an outstanding book called 'On Bloody Sunday"…

1
(RE-UPLOAD) IAN BAILEY INTERVIEW- Life as m*rder suspect, theories, Garda corruption & NETFLIX DOC 50:13

6M ago50:13

50:13

(RE-UPLOAD, RECORDED LATE DEC 2022 & PUBLISHED IN JAN 2023) The chief suspect for the still unsolved 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, Ian Bailey has died form a heart-attack. I spoke to Ian almost exactly a year ago in what was, I'm fairly sure, his second last long format interview and his last video long format interview. (Video version …

1
IRA RANSOM-KIDNAPPING GONE WRONG | Don Tidey's kidnap & rescue | Author Ronan McGreevy 41:18

7M ago41:18

41:18

For this episode I spoke with Ronan McGreevy, co-author of the recently released book "The Kidnapping", which focuses on the doomed ransom kidnapping attempt on businessman Don Tidey. We discussed the IRA's various methods of fund-raising during the troubles and their history of ransom-kidnaps. Ronan told me about how Tidey was selected as the targ…

1
LOCKED UP IN INDIA'S DEADLIEST PRISON | Nick Dunn's story- South Armagh, Afghanistan & India 2:00:19

7M ago2:00:19

2:00:19

Nick Dunn is a former British soldier and private security contractor who endured nearly half a decade in the Indian prison system after being unfairly convicted while carrying out anti-pirate work. Nick spoke to me about his brief time patrolling South Armagh in post-conflict Northern Ireland and danger he faced in Afghanistan fighting against the…

1
Doorstep Shootings in Northern Ireland. Part I: Just a Uniform 49:43

7M ago49:43

49:43

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
BILLY HUTCHINSON | A LOYALIST LIFE - Hunted By British Army, UVF Days & Long Kesh 1:41:40

7M ago1:41:40

1:41:40

Billy Hutchinson is an ex-UVF member and Loyalist who saw the Troubles heat up and erupt as he was a teen in sectarian Northern Ireland. Billy told us about his growing up in the Shankill area, a working class Protestant part of Belfast and his community felt uncared for by their government despite identifying as loyal Brits. Billy, in an attempt t…

1
FALSE-R*PE ALLEGATION SENDS FUTURE NFL PLAYER TO PRISON | Brian Banks' Incredible Comeback 1:34:26

8M ago1:34:26

1:34:26

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, SHARE & LEAVE A RATING TO HELP US CONTINUE TO GROW Brian Banks is a former NFL whose life was altered forever when he was the victim of a false-r*pe allegation towards the end of his high school years. We spoke about how he found out that he was being accused of such a horrific crime, the process of being arrested & charged and th…

1
Briefing Book 11:26

7M ago11:26

11:26

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
IRISHMAN IN BRITISH ARMY, Thoughts on COLLUSION & DISILLUSIONED BY VIOLENCE | Glenn Bradley 2/2 1:04:59

8M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

PART 2 OF 2 PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A RATING TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROW Glenn Bradley was born 1967 in West Belfast and grew up in the loyalist Woodvale area. He is a former soldier, one-time politician and a made-good businessman. Today, Glenn is Chair of Veterans For Peace Ireland and a Board Member of the Belfast Charitable Society. He r…

1
CAUGHT IN IRA BMB AGED 5, SCHOOLBUS PETROL-BMBED & JOINING BRITISH ARMY| Glenn Bradley 1/2 55:46

8M ago55:46

55:46

Glenn Bradley was born 1967 in West Belfast and grew up in the loyalist Woodvale area. He is a former soldier, one-time politician and a made-good businessman. Today, Glenn is Chair of Veterans For Peace Ireland and a Board Member of the Belfast Charitable Society. He remains an unapologetic Irish peace processor. I was eager pick Glenn's brain abo…

1
FATHER TED, COMEDIC INFLUENCES & A LIFE IN COMEDY | Graham Linehan, author of "Tough Crowd" 58:21

8M ago58:21

58:21

Graham Linehan is the Irish comedy writer behind behind the legendary sitcom, Father Ted, as well as Black Books and the I.T Crowd. Grahams recent autobiography, “Tough Crowd” takes the reader through Graham’s youth in Ireland, his co-writing of the show that is now embedded in Irish culture and provided laughs the world over. We speak about Graham…

1
LONDON UDA GUNRUNNING, TARGETING BRITISH MPs & OFFERS FROM SPECIAL BRANCH| Frank Portinari, ex-London UDA Commander 1:31:31

8M ago1:31:31

1:31:31

Frank Portinari is a former commander of the London UDA during the troubles and was eventually imporisoned after being caught buying firearms which were to used for the loyalist cause of keeping the 6 counties of Northern Ireland part of the UK. Frank told us about his growing in working-class London in a largely Irish area and how he ended up as a…

1
IRELAND'S 1st ANTI-GAY SPREE KILLER : Yousef Palani | Josef Puska case, Larry Murphy & Ireland's Serial Killers | Sarah O' Conor, Irish Criminologist 1:17:46

8M ago1:17:46

1:17:46

Irish criminologist and co-host of the Real Lives Untold podcast, Sarah O' Conor speaks to us about the recent murders that shocked Ireland committed by Yousef Palani & Jozef Puska whose respective killings have now resulted in life sentences for the murderers. Sarah also told us about Ireland's history of serial-killer types and particularly those…

1
INSIDE THE UVF, LOYALIST FEUDS & COLLUSION THEORIES | INTERVIEW W/ BALACLAVA STREET 1:45:26

9M ago1:45:26

1:45:26

"Balaclava Street" is a leading blog dedicated to exploring the history of the loyalist paramilitaries in Northern, particularly the UVF. Over the years Iain has gained unprecedented access to ex-UVF members for the book that he is in the process of writing about the loyalist paramilitary's history. We spoke about the various loyalist paramilitary …

1
NICOLA TALLANT | CLASH OF THE DRUGS MOBS & PARAMILITARIES and THE RISE OF IRELAND'S COCAINE COWBOYS 1:02:14

9M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

Nicola Tallant is one of Ireland’s leading crime journalists and her newest book, “Cocaine Cowboys” presents a history of Ireland’s relationship with the drug as well as the gangland figures that have emerged since white powder hit Irish shores. We spoke about the drug itself, how long it has taken to fully penetrate all layers of society and how i…

1
"THE TROUBLES" IN MY HOME PLACE | MARTIN DOYLE, author of "Dirty Linen: The Troubles In My Home Place" 1:14:01

9M ago1:14:01

1:14:01

Martin Doyle’s new book “Dirty Linen: The Troubles in my Homeplace” details the events of the troubles in his local area and the wide reaching effects that the conflict had on everyone’s lives. In my personal opinion the book is one of the very finest works on the subject of troubles-era Northern Ireland and is a masterfully crafted collections of …

1
EX NEO-N@ZI GOES TO AUSCHWITZ | Former White Supremacist Tony McAleer tells his story 51:40

9M ago51:40

51:40

Tony McAleer is a reformed, ex- neo-n*zi/white supremacist who now works to help people disengage from violent hate-groups like the one's that Tony used to set-up and run. Tony shares his story of how a boy from a good family & catholic school ended up heavily involved in racist-skinhead gangs even taking up a leadership role and using his intellig…

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