Best E.S. Haggan Podcasts (2025)

1
The Management of Sex Offenders, plus Police Surveillance 1:03:26

Play Pause

9h ago1:03:26

1:03:26

Some points in response to a number of queries / comments about police management of sexual offenders. I've spoke about this subject over a number of proceeding episodes, so I'll keep it as succinct as I can and try not to repeat anything (not easy, but …). Also in this episode I'm only touching very, very, briefly upon a very current issue which h…

1
Symbolic Dominance: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part VI 1:16:18

6d ago1:16:18

1:16:18

The concluding (for now) episode in which I discuss the experience of catholic officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI. Bibliography Breen, R, Beliefs about the treatment of Catholics and Protestants by the Security Forces, in R. Breen, P. Devine and G. Robinson (eds), Social Attitudes in Northern Ireland: The Fourth Report, Appletree Press, Belfast, 199…

1
The Starless Midnight: A Further Look at Loyalism and the Far-Right 52:00

15d ago52:00

52:00

Just a few more RUC memories stirred by recent news. Food delivery driver allegedly threatened and racially abused before footage appeared on TikTok, court hears Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
'Say Nothing': Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part V 55:33

22d ago55:33

55:33

Continuing my look at the experience of catholic officers within policing in Northern Ireland. In this episode I begin to look at issues which may affect recruitment from the Nationalist / Republican community. In the following episode I will continue this topic (and most likely conclude same), but with a more in-depth look at some of the selection…

1
'Hoover-Gate' and the Strategy of Heading Off Disciplinary Action 28:50

1M ago28:50

28:50

The recent 'Hoover-Gate' news report brought back some old memories, as well as a look at the ongoing strategy used to delay and (sometimes) derail being disciplined or summoned to court as a defendant. I should mention also, though, that it's a strategy found in other police service's too. Top police officer facing possible sack retires before mis…

1
Racism in East Belfast: Outsiders and the Lingering Fear of Cultural Loss 59:25

1M ago59:25

59:25

Cursory thoughts about some of the rot affecting youth culture in working-class protestant areas of Belfast and the cinema of adoration through hate. Upon reflection there's probably more I could have put into - and further expanded upon - in this episode, but time was against me and I didn't want it to run on too long. My early episodes about Belf…

1
Minor Addendum for: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part IV 17:19

2M ago17:19

17:19

Listen to the Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part IV episode prior to this - I just wanted to expand upon an anecdote I spoke (briefly) about in the above episode. Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières Unicef…

1
Isolation: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part IV 1:08:18

2M ago1:08:18

1:08:18

The fourth instalment in which I discuss the experiences of Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI. Click on the link below - it'll make more sense after listening to this episode. Many thanks! Isolation Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières Unicef…

1
Brief Preamble to Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part III 15:57

2M ago15:57

15:57

A brief preamble. Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part III will follow in the next Stray Bullets instalment, due very soon! Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
No Songs for the Children 27:51

2M ago27:51

27:51

An unexpected interlude. I had planned to bridge episode II and III of 'Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI' with a trailer, but unplanned events look set to overtake me and, as such, I'm unsure now of the possible duration between II and III. In the meantime - time of mean-spiritedness - I couldn't ignore the latest disgrace in our i…

1
'A Black Man is better than a Fenian': Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI Part II 1:10:20

3M ago1:10:20

1:10:20

The second episode in which I look at the experience of catholic officers within the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A glimpse of how catholic officers are exposed to isolation, sectarianism and even racism and matters of faith, both external to the job and within it. Click here if you’d like to send me a comme…

1
They Had Their Loyalties: Catholic Police Officers in the RIC, RUC and PSNI 1:04:50

3M ago1:04:50

1:04:50

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, 19…

1
'Who Are The Disloyal?' Northern Ireland and the Experience of Catholic Police Officers [TRAILER] 9:12

4M ago9:12

9:12

Forthcoming episode... Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
Northern Ireland, the Far-right and the Failure of Political Unionism 30:46

3M ago30:46

30:46

Sorry, just another impromptu episode, this time impassioned by the disenfranchised youth of our community being exploited by our organised crime groups and the far-right. This time we're othering many innocent people within our ethnic communities and allowing ourselves to be further exploited by fascists, bigots and racist demagogues. Click here i…

1
Addendum for All the Elements of a Police State John Montague 28:14

4M ago28:14

28:14

Some additional musings I (typically!) omitted. This relates to the John Montague: All the Elements of a Police State episode, so listen to that before this. Many thanks! Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
'All the elements of a police state': John Montague's Ulster 53:53

4M ago53:53

53:53

A look at John Montague's short story, The Cry. Set in 1959 it offers an opportunity to examine Northern Irish policing practices during the 1950s and 60s. The impetus for Montague's story was his actual witnessing the assault of a young catholic man by members of the Ulster Special Constabulary (B Specials). As such, The Cry offers a window into c…

1
Northern Ireland: A Police State? 2:46

4M ago2:46

2:46

Trailer for my next episode in which I take a look at new look nationalist attitudes towards policing in Northern Ireland prior to the Troubles. Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part IV: 'To Die A Soldier's Death ... ' 50:25

5M ago50:25

50:25

A look at the concept of 'state-terrorism' and if such is in itself rendered incoherent in a climate of violent insurrection. Also, the 'showcase ambushes' by British Special Forces. Were these not in effect the lethal confrontation of two opposing forces, one personifying the Irish Republican (understood?) risk of their own blood sacrifice, the ot…

1
Kneecap: The Politics of Protest 34:12

5M ago34:12

34:12

Another impromptu episode. This time about the Irish hip hop band Kneecap and the recent furore they've stirred. My reasons for talking about them will become evident. I've also added some memories about policing Divis. Kneecap row: police assessing ‘kill MP’ and ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah’ footage Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or ques…

1
State-Terrorism and PIRA's 'No Alternative' to violence: Part II: Utopia through Atrocity? 43:41

5M ago43:41

43:41

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 7:08

5M ago7:08

7:08

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
Policing in Northern Ireland: Another Troubles' Hangover? 35:25

6M ago35:25

35:25

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.' 55:35

6M ago55:35

55:35

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 42:41

6M ago42:41

42:41

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 38:56

7M ago38:56

38:56

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? 9:41

7M ago9:41

9:41

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
Stakeknife and the Ripple of Terror. Addendum: 'Enjoy the War, the Peace Is Going to be Terrible!' 17:58

8M ago17:58

17:58

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. 47:27

8M ago47:27

47:27

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 11:29

8M ago11:29

11:29

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 9:09

9M ago9:09

9:09

Click here if you’d like to send me a comment or question. Thank you. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
Stakeknife and the Ripple of Terror. Part II: An Unreliable Narrator 59:13

9M ago59:13

59:13

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 49:36

9M ago49:36

49:36

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 1:04:16

10M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

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 1:02:54

10M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

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 38:14

11M ago38:14

38:14

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 47:57

11M ago47:57

47:57

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 10:30

11M ago10:30

10:30

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 1:01:01

12M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

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 27:55

12M ago27:55

27:55

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 29:59

1y ago29:59

29:59

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 26:45

1y ago26:45

26:45

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 52:53

1y ago52:53

52:53

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 33:00

1y ago33:00

33:00

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 55:14

1y ago55:14

55:14

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 50:30

1y ago50:30

50:30

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 17:45

1+ y ago17:45

17:45

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. Support the show Médecins Sans Frontières UnicefBy E.S. Haggan

1
Rattlebag: An Interlude 36:39

1+ y ago36:39

36:39

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 52:13

1+ y ago52:13

52:13

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 45:25

1+ y ago45:25

45:25

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 39:10

1+ y ago39:10

39:10

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…