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In this clip from our upcoming episode, historian and author, Dr. Gareth Mulvenna talks about some of the myths and half-truths that surround the Shankill Butchers, a group of UVF members who terrorized Belfast's catholic community during the height of the troubles.

FULL EPISODE COMING SOON

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Retired Garda (Irish police) John O' Brien joins us once again, this time to discuss his career as a police officer during the most dangerous times in recent Irish history.

He tells us about his posting in "the south" along the border with the conflicts' most notorious area, South Armagh, better known to some as "Bandit Country". Despite the IRA's rule against engaging Irish state forces John was fired at as he and his colleague gave chase and the two Gardai were lucky to escape unharmed.

John also tells us about the Special Branch unit of the Irish police and it's role in conflict as well as his thoughts on Garda collusion with republican paramilitaries and the role that IRA had in the m*rder of infamous Irish criminal, Martin "The General" Cahill.

00:00 Intro
1:45 John’s understanding of Northern Ireland’s civil inequalities in 1968
07:10 Starting Garda training
16:35 First Postings
28:35 SOUTH ARMAGH BORDER POSTING
48:00 Garda Special Branch
1:24:25 GARDA COLLUSION W/ IRA ??
1:33:08 Martin “The General” Cahill (m*rdered by the IRA)

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Christopher “Pinta” McKnight grew up in Derry’s Bogside as this city erupted in violence and as a 15 year old boy he lied about his age and joined the Provisional IRA. Chris talks to us about his life in the IRA which included moving weapons and explosives as a young member , training camps in the Donegal Mountains and working closely with one of the troubles most notorious figures, Martin McGuinness. He tells us about his time on the “blanket protest” and being in Long Kesh during the pivotal 1981 Hunger Strike led by Bobby Sands as well as being the victim of one of Derry’s famous “touts”.

My guest recalls being there for the Battle of Bogside and how losing a childhood mate on Bloody Sunday turned him from a Catholic teen who was friends with a British solider to a young man intent on joining the IRA and waging war on the security forces.

Chris has since ran for public office for Sinn Fein and earned a degree in Law & Politics from Ulster University.

00:00 Growing Up In pre-conflict Derry

06:35 BATTLE OF THE BOGSIDE

18:25 Bloody Sunday

41:15 Joining The IRA

46:50 Training Camps

53:00 Martin McGuinness, Claudy B*mb & South Derry

58:50 Prison

1:16:10 In Long Kesh When Bobby Sands Died

1:22:45 Martin McGuinness as Chief of Staff

1:25:58 Thoughts on Commercial B*mbing Campaign

1:26:30 INLA in Derry?

1:28:00 Ray Gilmour

1:31:45 Did Steaknife come to Derry ?

1:34:40 Cell Structure in Derry

1:43:45 Frank Hegarty

1:47:50 Derry IRA vs Belfast IRA

1:50:00 Attempt to recruit Chris as an informant

1:51:20 Was Martin McGuinness an informant or agent ?

2:01:55 Did Chris see Martin McGuiness change over time?

2:06:30 Thoughts on “Proxy B*mbs” and Joan Mathers M*rder (1981)

2:10:20 “Pinta” Nickname

2:11:55 Move towards Politics