The Good Listener Podcast

For this week's episode I'm joined by ex-investigative journalist and MP, Chris Mullin, who though his efforts, was able to help free the falsely convicted Irishmen known as "the Birmingham 6".We speak about the sequence of events on the November 21st 1974 which left a mark on the city and people of Birmingham, k*lling 21 people and injuring over 200 and how the 6 innocent men ended up in prison for this heinous IRA b*mnbing.Chris also talks about his own involvement in the case and how he put his reputation on the line to pursue the truth and prove the innocence of these men, the impact this had on the British justice system and how they eventually got free.BUY THE BOOK:https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/chris-mullin/error-of-judgement/9781800961234/PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast CONTACT THE SHOW: thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com 00:00 Intro2:00 THE NIGHT OF THE B*MBING 8:00 Arrests 16:45 Trial 24:40 Chris' involvement

This week I'm joined by Austin Stack, son of murdered Portlaoise Maximum Secruity Prison Officer, Brian Stack, who was shot and later died after a planned IRA attack in 1983.Austin tells us about the night his father was shot, what his life was like in the 18 months between Brian being sh*t in the head and his eventual passing and how he would later come to a place of forgiveness.I asked Austin about his quest for truth surrounding his father's death, those who were involved and where they are now, his meetings and relationship with Gerry Adams and what “justice” for his father would mean.00:00 Intro 10:30 Who in the prison was colluding with the IRA14:50 THE NIGHT AUSTIN'S FATHER WAS SHOT (1983)26:35 Brian Stack's life after being shot37:15 Austin personal journey to find the truth 54:45 Meeting Gerry Adams & Secret Meeting 1:39:40 Forgiveness 1:45:30 DOES BRIAN KNOW WHO (& WHERE) THE K*LLERS ARE?1:49:30 Relationship w/ Gerry Adams PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast CONTACT THE SHOW: thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️https://www.kennys.ie/shop/justice-for-my-father-austin-stack-9781804189771

This week I'm joined once again by Fr. Sean McManus, Fermanagh priest who shared with us the story of meeting IRA intel officer, Joe Lynsky prior to his eventual execution and the hands of his fellow Provos. Fr McManus didn't know it at the time but it would transpire, decades later, that he had likely given Lynsky his last confession before he became one of the IRA's 17 “disappeared”, 13 of which have had their bodies recovered but not Lynsky. 00:00 Joe Lynsky's background & m*rder 2:12 Request from IRA Chief of Staff, Sean Mac Stiofain 27:45 Any other pre-m*rder confessions that Fr Sean knows of ??PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast CONTACT THE SHOW: thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com

For this episode I'm joined once again by author and ex-solider, Jon Trigg to speak about his new book “Death In Derry” which tells the story of the Derry IRA and it's perpetual leader, Martin McGuinness.Jon joined us last year when he released “Death In The Fields”, his excellent book on the East Tyrone IRA, for what was one of my personal favorite interviews.Jon tells us about Derry's significance in Irish history as well as “the troubles” period itself. We discuss Martin McGuinness' roots and his rise power including Chief of Staff. Jon discusses the battle of the Bogside, Bloody Sunday as well as the army's early days in the city and how it's relationship with the locals changed over time.We discuss the types of attacks and operation carried out by the Provos in the city, the various “own-goals” that the IRA inflicted on itself, the role of the SAS in the city/county, the various notorious informers or “touts” that severely damaged the group's capabilities, how the conflict wound down and eventually ended and much more.PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast CONTACT THE SHOW: thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK ⬇️⬇️ https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/death-in-derry/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Reaction to previous book & interview (East Tyrone) 1:30 Derry's significance in Irish history 8:30 Martin McGuinness & pre-troubles Derry 15:20 BATTLE OF THE BOGSIDE 22:05 British army come to Derry  41:50 “Wild West” early days and Commercial b*mbing campaign  56:20 BLOODY SUNDAY1:06:30 Operation Motorman & Claudy b*mbs 1:15:50 Poster boys 1:35:20 THE SAS 1:44:25 DET shooting 1981 1:51:48 Why the “cell structure” didn't suit Derry as much as Belfast 1:56:23 Events damaging the Derry IRA's image 2:13:50 Successful SAS ambushes 2:23:40 Raymond Gilmour, Willie Carlin & Frank Hegarty2:34:40 WAS MARTIN MCGUINNESS AN INFORMER 2:42:25 Loyalist activity in Derry 2:48:20 The End2:58:10 Thoughts on Say Nothing tv series 3:04:17 Future Belfast Brigade books

For this episode I'm speaking with Martin Dillon, well renowned author and journalist who has spent his career writing about the conflict in the North of Ireland. Martin's latest book, "The Sorrow and The Loss" deals with the women of the troubles and how the conflict affected the lives of the area's females including those who become combatants themselves , those whose husband/partners were in a paramilitary group, members of the security forces and much more.We speak about Mairead Farrell, one of the IRA's most effective female operators, Dolores Price, Jean McConville's execution, Martin's opinions on the book "Say Nothing" and more.PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/the-sorrow-and-the-loss/TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Revaltions in Martin's book about 1987 Enniskillen b*mbing 18:40 Martin's new book “The Sorrow & The Loss” 27:40 MAIREAD FARRELL 45:58 Fallout from 1987 Gibraltar k*llings: Michael Stone attack & Corp. Howes and Wood51:40 Dolores Price & Jean McConville 1:13:10 Tracy Doak (RUC officer)

My guest this week is ex Irish Defence Forces soldier Kevin McDonald. Kevin served in Irelands Special Forces during the conflict that rocked the island.Kevin tells us about his involvement in the one of the biggest man hunts in the state's history when INLA kidnapper Dessie O' Hare was on the run. He shares with us the atmosphere amongst his fellow soldiers as they searched for one of the North's most infamous paramilitaries.Kevin talks about IRA training camps in the  south and his efforts to thwart them as well as some of the techniques used by the provos to conceal their camps.I asked Kevin about levels of support within the Army for the IRA or at least its aims, feelings towards the British Army and much more.00:00 DESSIE O' HARE HUNT 13:45 Joining Army 26:30 Bloody Sunday35:54 Support for the IRA within the Army ?44:40 IRA TRAINING CAMPS52:35 “Shoot to Kill” policy ?PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast BUY THE BOOK: https://www.mayobooks.ie/A-Life-Less-Ordinary-Kevin-McDonald?__im-GfVUNiDv=263418128045112242900:00 DESSIE O' HARE HUNT 13:45 Joining Army 26:30 Bloody Sunday35:54 Support for the IRA within the Army ?44:40 IRA TRAINING CAMPS52:35 “Shoot to Kill” policy ?

On June 18th 1994 while watching Ireland play in the World Cup, 6 completely innocent men were slaughtered by a loyalist paramilitary gunman who sprayed the bar with an assault rifle in an act of cold blooded sectarianism.  Trevor Birney's book, "Shooting Crows" tells the storey of this tragic event, the hatred and bitterness that provide the basis for it, the history of loyalist collusion with various security forces branches, the arms shipment that the weapons came in on and the members of the 3 man team who committed the heinous m*rders. The book also has a personal element for Trevor as he experienced firsthand some of the breaches of his press freedoms by the PSNI following the airing of a film about the Loughlinisland massacre that Trevor was involved in. I'll be doing a Q&A episode soon so please drop any questions in the comment section below or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro 5:45 LOUGHLINISLAND MASSACRE 18:00 History of Loyalists attacking civilian targets 24:00 “Collusion” and Brian Nelson 28:40 Extreme-loyalists 32:40 Police Ombudsman Reports into the massacre 43:35 PSNI investigate Trevor PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastBUY THE BOOK: https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/shooting-crows-mass-murder-state-collusion-and-press-freedom/

Toby Harnden is the author of one of the best-selling and well regarded books on the IRA and the troubles, “Bandit Country”. Toby's book lifted the lid on the area where is was most dangerous to be a British soldier in during the conflict and the IRA brigade that made it that way. One of my most requested guests and an author that I've been dying to speak to, Toby and I spoke about their history, actions & legacy as well as the reasons why this small rural area was the thorn in the army's side throughout the entire conflict. We discussed the IRA's guerrilla attacks on the British Army in South Armagh, the 'Slab” Murphy family, Gaddafi & Libyan arms shipments, the anti-helicopter sub-battle within the conflict, the deployment of the SAS, the infamous 90's sniper teams and much more. PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW WITH A DONATION IF YOU CAN SPARE IThttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast00:00 Intro 16:20 Stats & Facts on The South Armagh IRA 21:45 Thomas “Slab” Murphy & the Murphy family 43:00 1970's1:03:50 Informers 1:07:50 Sectarian m*rders 1:10:00 THE SAS (1976)1:15:14 WARRENPOINT 1:28:00 Glasdrumann scrapyard counter-ambush 1:33:30 Libya and Gaddafi 1:42:05 Richard Johnson & the American connection 1:50:45 Anti-Helicopter War 2:00:00 “SNIPER AT WORK” (1990's)2:22:25 1990's actions

Kevin Meagher's book "What A Bloody Awful Country" examines the creation of the state we know as Northern Ireland and how the 100 plus years of existence as gone.We discuss the reasons for partition in the first place, the sectarian violence during the state's early years, the anti-catholic discrimination built into Northern Ireland's governing system, the various forms of civil rights violations that Catholics had to endure and how violence erupted into what we call "the troubles".TIMSTAMPS 0:00 Intro, ‘What A Bloody Awful Country'5:30 How Did Northern Ireland Come To Exist 12:30 Violence in Northern Ireland's History16:05 Key Factors Leading To The Outbreak of Violence32:50 Ian Paisley 38:10 Kevin's Irish History Counterfactual 50:50 Border Poll56:40 Kevin's Interest (Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastBUY THE BOOK: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/what-a-bloody-awful-country

Rob Millington, ex-british army trooper, spent 6 months in Belfast during the final decade of the conflict that gripped the lives of anyone in the 6 counties.Rob talks to us almost getting caught in an IRA b*mb which was set up to blow up security forces responding to sh*oting, the impact that first seeing dead bodies had on him and aftermath of the 1993 Shankill Road b*mbing.Rob shares his story about meeting Johnny Adair while on patrol and his attempts to extract information from British soldiers as well as the surprising reaction that Rob and his men would get while meeting high-level republican paramilitaries in the street. 00:00 Responding to a sh*oting in North Belfast and almost getting caught in b*mb blast 17:50 Getting to NI 34:45 1993 Shankill Road B*mbing 41:30 Meeting JOHNNY ADAIR 53:05 See Dead Bodies For The First Time 1:01:00 Shooting During Tour ? 1:04:25 Leaving NICLIP OF ROB : https://youtu.be/WbcVovb4Kgc?si=cQ9EEqdHSesxJf02(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast

John Nixon, ex-Offical IRA and INLA member begins this episode at the start of his second prison term in Long Kesh during which he would volunteer for the IRA/INLA Hunger Strike of 1980, led by Brendan “The Dark” Hughes.John speaks about the horrors and trauma of years in prison, beatings and torture from the guards and his account of the hunger strike that preceded the 1981 Hunger Strike, most known for Bobby Sands death.I asked about the effect that 53 days without food has a man's body and mind and how John has tried to moved past everything to life a normal life post prison Please forgive us for any parts that might overlap or be repetitive, we recorded this part over several sittings as you can tell. 00:00 2nd Prison Sentence 12:45 Staying Sane in Prison 30:50 Would John Meet With an Ex-Prison Guard 36:45 Brendan Hughes43:00 Hunger Strikes 57:42 1980 HUNGER STRIKE 1:04:42 Selecting Hunger Strikers 1:13:35 Stages of John's Hunger Strike (53 days) 1:29:52 Hunger Strike ENDS 1:32:42 Prison after Hunger Strike 1:41:20 Release & Life after prison (Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast

Ralph Brooker served in the British army touring Fermanagh, Derry and the infamous South Armagh, better known as "Bandit Country".Having spent the majority of his time in rural, border areas Ralph recounts the British army's constant attempts to counteract the IRA's ever evolving methods and tactics. Ralph speaks to us about being on the receiving end of IRA mortar attacks, explosive booby-traps & landmines and the day-today realities of fighting a guerrilla army.Ralph told me about his views on the IRA and how they changed over the years as well as whether he now considers his old foes to be "freedom fighters"(Q&A coming soon so please drop any questions in the comments or email me at thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com )PLEASE HELP OUT THE SHOW IF YOU CAN SPARE IT.. THANK YOUhttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast00:00 GETTING MORTARED while in a HELICOPTER12:20 High Profile IRA men21:40 How Ralph viewed the IRA- Freedom Fighters ??44:40 Dealing w/ the Public 51:20 Clashes w/ UDR & RUC 1:02:50 Derry 1:07:50 Names in Stormont that Ralph remembers from COP (Close Observational) Days1:23:05 Were the Loughall “A-Team” set up ?1:25:15 IRA Booby-Traps 1:30:40 SOUTH ARMAGH 1:45:30 IRA's 1:52:00 Final Thoughts

David Burke's most recent book “Puppet Masters” shines a light on mysterious case of Patrick Crinnion, the garda (Irish police officer) who was passing information to Mi6 while he was in the Gardai's secretive intel department. David, joining me for the third time, tells us about the state of the Republican movement in the years prior to the outbreak of “the troubles”, the resources available to Gardai in terms of intel gathering, Crinnion's disappearance and the impact that he had on Irish history.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Pre-troubles republican activity 06:00 1960's- IRA activity & Garda intel branch 17:00 Patrick Crinnion If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastBUY THE BOOK: https://www.mercierpress.ie/books/the-puppet-masters/

In a recent episode David Burke re-joined us to talk about the mysterious case of Garda Patrick Crinnion, a spy within the Garda Special Branch (Intel dept) who passed information to the British intel network.The release of David's book on the subject has prompted the unearthing of new information linking former assistant secretary of the Dept. Of Justice Thomas Coyne to British intel according to a letter written by the afore mentioned Patrick Crinnion.We discuss the possible implications of such high-level treachery by Irish government officials and the effects that this would have had on Irish politics as well as questions about the information's authenticity/reliability.If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastBUY THE BOOK: https://www.mercierpress.ie/books/the-puppet-masters/00:00 Patrick Crinnion's letter (found in prison cell) 33:45 Thomas Coyne and subsequent officials with in the DOJ 38:35 Authenticity of new info

In part 2 of my interviews with ex-official IRA & INLA member, John Nixon. In this episode we discussed some of the INLA's most prolific operations as well as some of the organizations most well known members including Seamus Costello and Dessie O' Hare. (Part 1 - https://youtu.be/9YOpiW1jU6c?si=81DqiPlwIAz4HOHQ)I asked John about second prison term in Long Kesh where he took part in the blanket protest and the no-wash protest in an attempt to win back POW status. John breaks down the escalating steps that led up to the no-wash protest and how these brutal years have effected John's life forever. John tells us about the beatings and torture that prisoners were subjected to in Long Kesh and what atmosphere in the jail was like following one of the many assassinations of guards by republicans outside the prison walls. If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast00:00 INLA Operations - Billy Wright 10:40 Different types in the INLA/IRSP 16:15 Séamus Costello 20:10 Dessie O Hare29:00 SECOND Prison term 36:20 BLANKET PROTEST & Targeting Prison Guards 50:15 PTSD and Mental Trauma

My guest for this week is James Durney, historian and author of “Jailbreak” which details the various “great escapes” perpetrated by Irish Republican prisoners from 1865 onwards into the 1980s.James tells us about the most daring and dangerous prison escapes, both successful and otherwise, of the troubles-era including the story of the Crumlin Kangaroos, the HMS Maidstone escape, the 1973 Mountjoy Helicopter escape and of course the H-Block breakdown which is still the biggest prison escape in British penal history.If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcasthttps://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/jailbreak-great-irish-republican-escapes-1865-1983/TIMESTAMPS00:00 Jailbreak8:30 HMS Maidstone escape 14:30 Mountjoy Helicopter 197122:30 Portlaoise Max. Security Prison Escape 197328:10 M60 Gang Escape & Long Kesh Escape 198340:25 War of Independence & Civil War Escapes and more

Hilton McCabe served in the RUC in both East Tyrone and Belfast during the second half of the conflict we know as “the troubles”. Hilton tells us about policing rural East Tyrone and the horror of cleaning up body-parts after the one of the IRA's most deadly roadside b*mb attacks, the Ballygawley Bus Ambush. Hilton shares with us his stories of riots, threats to his life, his numerous brushes with death and how he and his colleagues dealt with the stress and trauma from the job.If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcasthttps://www.austinmacauley.com/book/mountroyalTIMESTAMPS 00:00 Joining RUC, catholic/protestant membership21:15 First posting- EAST TYRONE 35:00 Ballygawley Bus B*mb (8 British soldiers k*lled) 53:30 Writing “Mountroyal” 1:02:20 Post-LOUGHALL AMBUSH Call out 1:11:45 Killers, psychos & Abuse of power 1:17:00 INLA & IPLO feud 1:22:15 Differences between republicans and loyalist paramilitaries 1:23:25 IRA funerals 1:34:00 Rural vs Urban IRA brigades 1:35:10 RIOTS 1:43:10 Lucky to be alive- times Hilton almost died 2:02:40 MOUNTPOTTINGER2:07:50 SOLDIERS 2:12:10 Threats on Hilton's life 2:20:50 Ever been recognized off-duty ?2:22:00 N.I's first million pound dr*g seizure & post-GFA policing

Ex-FRU agent handler "Will Britten" (alias) actively ran and recruited agents in South Armagh, one of the most dangerous places to be a British soldier during the conflict, in the 80s and is the author of "The Deadly Game". We speak in depth about the recruitment methods of the FRU, how to successfully run an agent in such a dangerous area, the legacy of Robert Nairic and the story of how Dominic McGlinchey's INLA unit planned on setting a trap after discovering a "tout".Due to security reasons he cannot appear on camera.. apologies for not having the usual experience.If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast00:00  INLA find out about FRU source 16:20 Ideal type of agent-recruit 23:20 Ethics of running agents who murder 30:00 Robert Nairic 32:40 First arriving in N.I 41:00 Robert Nairic II 47:00 Thoughts on the IRA's goal 54:00 South Armagh IRA & meeting Thomas Slab Murphy1:07:50 Joining the FRU 1:14:50 Recruiting an agent 1:23:35 Motivation to become informants 1:32:25 Use of blackmail to recruit ?1:37:45 Meeting up with a source1:53:40 FRU Vehicles1:59:00 What makes a good handler ?2:10:45 What gets an FRU agent fired ? 2:15:50 Leaving N.I 2:22:00 Harry Breen & Bob Buchanan m*rders

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 in his mind where he was not interested in revenge or retribution.Alan tells us about his childhood growing up with a prison guard as a father, his father's views on unionism & Ian Paisley, how he himself views the IRA men who m*rdered his father.If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastTIMESTAMPS 00:00 Growing up05:00 Father's worker in the prison service 15:00 The blanket and no-wash protests 17:03 Does Alan want “revenge” or want to meet his father's killer(s) ? 26:03 Night of the m*rder 36:30 Did Alan believe that Kevin Barry Artt was the killer ? 51:15 Thoughts on current-day N.I

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 deadly attacks, the Loughall ambush & how it effected the brigade plus the post-Loughall activities of the East Tyrone IRA including coming under attack from the Mid-Ulster UVF.Jonathan is an ex-British soldier who himself was posted to East Tyrone in the early 90s and will be authoring more books on the subject of “the troubles”. PLEASE EMAIL ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS (if you're reading this and were involved in paramilitary activity please give me a shout if you would like to tell your story, even anonymously to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com)BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Death-Fields-IRA-East-Tyrone/dp/1785374435If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast00:00 What made the East Tyrone IRA so effective ??14:50 Origins of East Tyrone IRA (Kevin Mallon, Brendan Hughes29:20 THE A-TEAM era 49:40 LOUGHALL 1:02:35 Ballygawley Bus B*mbing & post-loughgall ambushes 1:15:00 UVF k*lling East Tyrone IRA members 1:22:40 LOUGHALL II1:33:40 Future books

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 received over the years and his encounters with the notorious South Armagh unit of the IRA.We discussed paramilitaries who have committed m*rders and terror attacks while simultaneously working as an RUC Special Branch agent, the subject of collusion between RUC and Loyalist paramilitaries as well as policing a post-Good Friday Agreement state. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Growing up, seeing Catholic family petrol-b*mbed out of their house 08:20 JOINING THE RUC- policing in South Armagh 22:50 Negative view of the RUC & Threats on William's life36:00 SPECIAL BRANCH 52:30 Martin McGartland, Ken Barret, Mark Haddock, William Stobie 1:16:00 MEETING WITH INFORMANTS 1:27:05 THE NUTTING SQUAD1:30:45 UVF/UDA 1:35:55 RUC interrogation  1:44:25 Post-GFA Northern Ireland 1:52:40 What should the RUC done differently throughout the conflict PLEASE EMAIL ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS (if you're reading this and were involved in paramilitary activity please give me a shout if you would like to tell your story, even anonymously to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com)BUY THE BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Victory-Intelligence-that-beat/dp/1527202054If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast

**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 was killed during the IRA's border campaign, the death-threats he has received and the attempts by British forces to smear his reputation by implying his involvement with Gaddafi.Fr McManus speaks about his refusal to stay silent regarding British occupation of Ireland despite attempts by his bosses in the church to get him to keep his head down as well as his work on Capitol Hill.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro05:25 Brothers death in border campaign06:10 Tempted to join ?08:00 Becoming a priest26:20 Sean's “3 types of Violence” 28:35 FR MC MANUS ARRESTED 53:40 Threats to Fr McManus' life 1:27:30 Thoughts on Fr. Patrick Ryan 1:41:10 FBI FILE ON FR MCMANUS PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastThe Eerie Side Podcast1 Mother & 2 Daughters True Crime Podcast - We cover the unexplained, mysteries, & more.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 helped to prevent a mortar attack on an RUC and much more.(The first 30 mins or so are a little choppy due to wifi problems but completely fine after that.. apologies and thank you)PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast00:00 South Armagh11:00 Any respect for the IRA ?20:45 Any “off-base” activities 21:45 IRA men in the area 27:55 Between Mick's 1980 South Armagh tour and returning to N.I in 1993- Joining SAS 33:00 THE DET39:10 1993 Shankill fish shop b*mb 42:00 DET work II1:04:00 Protestant paramilitary groups 1:08:30 The UDR (Ulster Defence regiment) & RUC 1:13:05 IRA informers 1:16:45 Face-to-face encounter w/ IRA man 1:26:48 Did Mick want to get into a “contact” with a terrorist ?1:29:25 Foiling a mortar attack on RUC station 1:31:40 IRA in LONDON- Mick's work with Mi5 1:44:20 Miss the “buzz' from the job?? 1:55:35 Ex soldiers doing mercenary work 2:01:35 Are SAS the best ??

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 BLACKS NO DOGS NO IRISH” sign- was it real??03:50 Michael's parents move to England 07:05 Many other children of immigrants ?08:50 BIRMINGHAM B*MBINGS impact on Michael's life 20:20 Gerry Adams leadership writings 26:30 INLA splits 54:30 Do most English people consider Northern Irish people to be “British” ?PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast

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 times of ceasefire during the conflict and the reasons for them.Thomas details why the rural IRA brigades were tougher infiltrate, how technological change effected the British army and the reasons for the peace talks at various points in the conflict. 00:00 What is INTEL ??5:50 Structure of Thomas' book 13:50 Derry IRA18:55 Rural areas more difficult to affect in the Intel War35:05 Technological changes thru-out the troubles 39:50 Tasking & co group 45:40 Misconceptions surrounding the subjectIf you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastBUY THE BOOK: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/intelligence-war-against-the-ira/A34D7CEFB3118C4C2F9553F4D30D91ED

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 in one of N.I's biggest jailbreaks. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 CASTLEREAGH “The Confession Factory” 08:15 LONG KESH & The lead up to Albert Miles' murder 18:45 The murder of Albert Miles 24:30 Maurice Gilvarry (IRA member & RUC Agent) 27:35 PRISON ESCAPE39:05 Escape almost goes wrong 48:00 Film or TV series ??PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastBUY THE BOOK: www.abovethegroundbook.cominstagram.com/danlawtonwriter/twitter.com/DanLawtonwriter

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 riots and the effects that the job had on his mental health at the time.Harry shares his insights on the uniques challenges of taking on a “guerrilla” army, rural vs urban warfare, his own personal relationship with violence/killing and much more..PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastTIMESTAMPS00:00 Joining the British Army (Paras) & becoming brutalized 12:45 Pre-deployment, does Harry consider N.I people to be British & do Irish people “live in the past” too much?25:50 DEPLOYMENT TO NORTHERN IRELAND - Internment roundup  28:55  Thoughts on BALLYMURPHY MASSACRE & 2021 Inquiry 39:35 RIOTS - “absolutely terrifying” APPEAL 51:15 Harry's relationship with KILLING & violence   57:35 Does Harry know how many people he has killed? 58:40 Fist-fight w/ an INLA member 59:55 Joining the SAS1:05:00 Loyalist dual membership of UDR & UVF/UDA 1:07:30 Were UVF/UDA as competent as the PIRA ?1:12:50 SOUTH ARMAGH & TYRONE IRA 1:19:00 Gerry Adams story 1:23:00 Fighting against guerrilla soldiers 1:29:00 Protecting intel sources within the IRA 1:33:55 GUERRILLA OR TERRORIST ??1:49:20 Rural or urban soldiering.. which was more difficult ? 1:52:00 The MRF 1:58:35 Harry's latest book

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 UVF operation and the political goings-on at the time of attack.DAVID'S FREE E-BOOK (much more detail on the topic) https://coverthistory.ie/2024/05/04/returning-the-serve-the-jackal-collusion-mi5-and-the-dublin-and-monaghan-bombings-by-david-burke/PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast

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 and his thoughts on having to take human life for his cause. Brendan shares the incredible story of how masterminded the second ever prison escape involving a helicopter on Halloween 1973 and how he himself ended up leading a 19 man jailbreak from Ireland's most secure lock-up.His tale later involves a split form the movement and a team of assassins being spent to NYC to take out Brendan, one of whom Brendan would later meet.PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK: https://uplikeabird.comIf you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastTIMESTAMPS00:00 Growing up in Tyrone, first contact with sectarianism 07:20 Joining the IRA13:10 Robbing banks 24:40 AMBUSHING BRITISH SOLDIERS 31:00 Becoming an intel officer 35:50 Lead-up to MOUNTJOY HELICOPTER ESCAPE 45:30 DAY OF THE ESCAPE56:50 Getting caught & jailed 1:05:27 Planning the Portlaoise prison escape 1:14:20 DAY OF ESCAPE FROM PORTLAOISE 1:22:25 Immediately after escaping 1:36:25 Split from IRA (hit-team sent to NYC to get him)1:42:40 Back to prison1:44:25 Thoughts on united-Ireland

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-suit & approach an explosive device and the effects that such a job can have on one's mental health.Steve tells us about the unique challenges of b*mb-disposal in rural settings vs urban, the physical sensation of being caught in a b*mb blast and much more.If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee.Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastPLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR GUESTS & EPISODE TOPICS to thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.comTIMESTAMPS 00:00 Putting on the “B*MB SUIT”03:35 Training 10:00 Psychological aspect 14:20 The Hurt Locker (film) & mental toll of the job 17:00 FIRST EXPLOSIVES DISPOSALS 24:45 B*mb Disposal in RURAL AREAS27:20 Robots  30:40 TOUGH JOB35:10 Dealing with trauma from the job37:25 IRA calling in car-b*mb 44:10 Loyalist b*mbs (better or worse b*mb-makers?) 46:13 TYPES of b*mbs throughout the conflict 55:10 Remote b*mbs & Mercury tilt 59:30 Light-activated explosives 1:00:30 Closest Steve has been to b*mb exploding 1:07:30 Cutting wires

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://youtu.be/R5XJQrUCeMk?si=zCipaXh0uMIK6P0j)Graham speaks to us about his mindset during the early 70s, his reasons for joining up, his thoughts on the UDA's policy of targeting innocent Catholics and how he left the group. Graham shared some interesting thoughts/insights into his mentality during the UDA days, the time that RUC officers let him “steal” their weapons, his memories of Ian Paisley, thoughts on a united Ireland and much moreIf you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Patreon or Buy My a Coffee.Thanks a million!!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcastTIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro6:20 RUC COLLUSION w/ UDA 10:10 Why join UDA not UVF 15:05 How were catholic families intimidated out ?16:55 How did graham feel about his UDA activities at the time?18:00 Does Graham identify as British ?21:45 Ian Paisley 27:15 How did he view the UVF ?29:10 Any respect for the IRA ?31:25 Would Graham have known the main hitmen in the UDA ? 35:45 Women in the UDA37:50 Dual membership UDA/UDR 39:35 Living in England

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 beginning to end, the materials used, how Packy avoided being blown up by his own work and the logistics of an IRA bombing operation. Packy shared stories about his time in Long Kesh, how he got caught, Mi5 attempting to recruit him and much more If you would like to help out the show please like, subscribe and share. I plan on doing bigger things with this show including walk through of areas, documentary-type videos and more.. if you would like to help fund these efforts please consider donating on Buy My a Coffee. (link below)Thanks a million!!https://buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast00:00 Intro4:20 Joining junior-wing of the IRA07:35 BECOMING A B*MB MAKER 16:05 What type of b*mbs did Packy make?26:15 Ever get “bitten by his own work” ?27:10 What separates good b*mb-maker from a bad one ?28:45 Mi5 attempt to recruit Packy31:15 MAKING A B*MB 37:10 Shooting at British solider w/ a sniper rifle 38:35 Would you have known the loyalists?41:05 B*mb-making II47:55 CAUGHT MAKING B*MB & ARRESTED due to INFORMANT 1:01:55 Getting out of Long Kesh & life after the IRAANY  & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GUESTS, TOPICS, DIFFERENT FORMS OF CONTENT ETC ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.. any theme or force within the conflict you'd like me to explore, any important people from the time, authors I haven't spoke to etcPLEASE DROP A COMMENT ON SPOTIFY (I can't reply to comments left on Spotify but leave your email address and I can get back to you) OR SEND ME AN EMAIL (thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com) Thanks very much to everyone who has helped out so far!!!

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 most notorious informants, Freddie Scappittici aka Agent Stakeknife.Ina tells us about his time in the FRU, what goes into recruiting and running an agent, his thoughts on whether Martin McGuinness or Gerry Adam were informants, his many thoughts on the recently published Operation Kenova and much more.Ian, at various stages in the episode, discusses agents Frank Hegarty, Willie Carlin, Brian Nelson and of course agent Stakeknife.TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Was Martin McGuinness an informant??13:00 JOINING THE FORCE RESEARCH UNIT43:15 Did FRU operate both sides of the border? 48:00 Was Ian ever shot at ? 53:00 Work as an FRU handler 57:30 Thoughts on Operation Kenova 1:28:40 HOW handlers met w/ informants/agents 1:39:20 Story about IRA man drove into the FRU offices 1:41:10 Did the IRA ever have info on IAN ?? (Ian potentially has his life saved by an IRA man's wife)1:46:30 Any FRU killed ?1:49:20 HOW DID FRU RECRUIT AGENTS/INFORMERS ?2:12:05 HOW WAS SCAP (STAKEKNIFE) RECRUITED ?? WAS HE A “WALK-IN”?? & More thoughts on Operation Kenova 2:32:55 When agents are suspected by IRA2:36:40 'Spy-masters dilemmas” (Frank Hegarty's case) 2:46:50 Psychology of handling an agent 2:52:00 Killing Rage (book by Eamonn Collins)2:59:55 More thoughts on Operation Kenova 3:09:15 Was Gerry Adams an informer?

*** 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" was recruited by British security services.. He also shares his thoughts on the recently published Operation Kenova.FULL EPISODE COMING SOONhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjuLvoOn9Ns&t=123shttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/goodlistenerpodcast

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 agents, how princess Diana was nearly blown up by the IRA and the role that Gaddafi played in arming the IRA.TIMESTAMPS 00:00 How did so many informants get recruited by The British security forces 9:55 Who were the FRU (Force Research Unit)19:30 Willie Carlin & Denis Donaldson 24:45 Ian Hurst's involvement 30:20 IRA NEARLY BLOW-UP PRINCESS DIANA 35:30 Spy-master's dilemma 41:15 Gaddafi's involvement 46:35 Plans for tv series or movie ??BUY THE BOOK: https://geni.us/FOURSHOTS

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 have had with a network of p*adphiles who were active in the area at the time and the known child-abusers who Mi5 were employing as agents.DES' TWITTER: https://twitter.com/desfilmsstuffTIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro09:15 Timeline of the disappearances 23:15 Cover-ups & Whistleblowers 33:10 Was KINCORA BOYS HOME being used as an MI5 47:50 Future plans  50:05 Alan Campbell Cold Case Western AustraliaThey're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 squad”.Richard walks us through the biggest takeaways from the investigation, the goods & bads from the report and his expectations for the final report, due in 2/3 months which will go into specific cases.For those who may have seen my interview with ex-IRA volunteer Seamus Kearney (Seamus' younger brother Michael was m*rdered by Stakenifes unit after being falsely labeled an informant and Seamus firmly believes that he was set up by British security forces in order to cover for a real informant), I can reveal new information that has been verbally confirmed by the Kenova investigation team. (Interview w/ Seamus from August 2023    • EX-IRA MAN EXPOSES Ministry Of Defenc...  )TIMESTAMPS00:00 Recap on Stakenife/Scap 8:25 Stakeknife NOT NAMED in the report 13:25 Ricky's expectations for the report 21:00 UPDATE ON SEAMUS KEARNEY PODCAST (Brother Michael m*rdered by Stakeknife's unit) 27:05 Operational Failings section of the Kenova report 31:45 DID STAKEKNIFE SAVE LIVES?36:40 “Falsehoods” addressed in Kenova report 40:15 Collusion section of Kenova report44:55 Mi5 material reviewed by Kenova team 42:25 Final thoughts on Kenova report SEND ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GUESTS TO : thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com BUY RICHARD'S BOOK: https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/stakeknifes-dirty-war/

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 the British Army. Padraig tells us about the history of informers and spies within Ireland's conflicts and how the "good old IRA" would deal with them.We also discussed the most high-profile cases of forced disappearances in the Northern Ireland conflict including Jean McConville, Capt Robert Nairac, the MRF agents known as "the Freds" and much more.I would throughly recommend Padraig's book for anyone interested in Irish history, very well written and structured piece of work.TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Padraig's background, scope of the book09:35 DIGGING UP A DISAPPEARED BRITISH SOLDIER 18:45 Why some victims are disappeared 26:35 Last person to die in the War of Independence (Hannah Carey) 28:30 British Army veterans targeted 35:00 THE TROUBLES (The “Freds”, Capt. Robert Nairic, Jean McConville, Kincora) 1:16:40 Padraig's next bookBUY THE BOOK: https://www.irishacademicpress.ie/product/the-disappeared-forced-disappearances-in-ireland-1798-1998/

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 speak about Neidermayer's background including how he narrowly avoided having to fight in the latter years of WW2 while a member of the (compulsory) Hitler Youth and how he moved to Ireland to run factory where Catholics and Protestants worked side by side.David tells us about how the 1973 London b*mbings would lead to the IRA capturing Thomas Neidermayer as well as the story of Brian Keenan, the IRA quartermaster who worked with Muammar Gaddafi, Colombian FARC guerrillas and Spanish insurgent groups during his time and who once worked for Thomas Neidermayer years before the kidnap.*** PLEASE SEND ANY & ALL SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE GUESTS/TOPICS ETC TO thegoodlistenerpodcast@gmail.com OR LEAVE A COMMENT***DAVID'S BOOK: https://www.newisland.ie/nonfiction/face-down-the-disappearance-of-thomas-niedermayerTIMESTAMPS 00:00 Thomas & Ingeborg's backgrounds06:45 Brian Keenan 13:15 Thomas & wife move to N.I 17:15 1973 London B*mbing 23:20 THE KIDNAPPING 33:20 Fate of the Price sisters & finding Thomas Neidermayer's body 43:55 Brian Keenan II 48:40 Aftermath mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify MurderLustJoin Ava & Amber as they explore the dark side of humanity with unfiltered,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 the murders of Bloody Sunday marked a turning point in his relationship with the British army.Richard speaks about the day he was shot in the eye at close range by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier who Richard has since meet with and befriended.He shares with us how his blinding has affected his life and the lives of those closest to him.Richard's own podcast : https://open.spotify.com/show/1UssIdNvUOe6r3kwAfIqJA?si=L28W2DIsQ0a-euL65wHujQTIMESTAMPS00:00 Richard's background, growing up in Derry 10:30 How did young Richard view the army & the rioters?14:25 BLOODY SUNDAY 28:10 THE DAY RICHARD LOST WAS BLINDED BY A RUBBER-BULLET 34:40 How did Richard's family take the news 38:50 Any desire for revenge?44:00 Ever used as political point-scoring ?45:25 MEETING THE SOLDIER WHO BLINDED HIM mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify MurderLustJoin Ava & Amber as they explore the dark side of humanity with unfiltered,...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 IRA in Belfast during his time in Kenya, Malaya & Oman . We speak about the MRF 'S origins, the unorthodox way they operated and the effective license-to-kill that they possessed. David tells us about the double-agents within the IRA working for the MRF known as "the Freds", the four square laundry intel gathering operation the MRF ran as well the brothels they operated.We speak about the recent news that an MRF soldier (solider "F", not to be confused with Bloody Sunday solider F") will face trial for the murder of completely innocent father of 8, Patrick McVeigh.***PLEASE SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A 5 STAR RATING TO HELP THE SHOW***TIMESTAMPS00:00 Kitson's background 14:55 KITSON COMES TO N.I 20:30 THE MRF 22:40 Howard Smith 25:16 MRF, The “Freds” & Four Square laundry 37:20 Ballymurphy 42:00 MRF 44:45 PROPAGANDA 45:45 MRF48:27 KINCORA SCANDAL, Albert Baker & The UDA52:08 MRF and the fate of 2 of “the Freds”54:15 MRF SOLIDER TRIAL for Pat McVeigh murder 57:45 William Black (MRF story) 1:00:55 PYS-OPS 1:04:20 RUC CORRUPTION1:09:20 What came after the MRF (SRU, FRU) 1:13:30 Derek Willford's relationship to Kitson 1:18:50 David's new bookBUY DAVID'S BOOK: https://www.mercierpress.ie/irish-books/kitson-s-irish-war/mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 joined the RUC.I asked Stephen about the daily reality of policing Northern Ireland's streets during some of its most tumultuous years, thoughts on Irish reunification, facing rioters after Bobby Sand's death, accusations of collusion, death threats and much moreTIMESTAMPS00:00 Growing up in N.I 10:22 Story from teen years about sectarian violence on catholic friend 12:42 Thoughts on Irish reunifaction     21:02 JOING ULSTER DEFENCE REGIMENT (UDR)33:02 UDR clashes with loyalist paramilitaries   35:22 UDR/UVF dual memberships ?? 38:52 JOINING RUC (1978)42:02 BOBBY SANDS RIOTS 47:32 John Weir conviction 53:20 Any officers under Stephen's command investigated for COLLUSION ?  57:20 Rougher policing back then (70s-90s)1:04:02 RUC “dirty war” use of loyalist paramilitaries as agents1:14:02 Dealing with the trauma of the job 1:19:12 ASSASSINATION PLOTS AGAINST STEPHEN 1:26:32 Toughest area in N.I to be a cop during the troubles 1:30:12 Running into IRA men while off-duty mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A RATING & SHARE TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROWOn 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 story of 4 men from Sundays Well in Cork city and how one of them met their end at the hands of the other 3 outside Central Park in NYC. Marks book details the incredible level of support that existed in New York for the Irish War of Independence, the gun running priests of NYC, the plot to get 500 tommy guns from America into Michael Collins' hands and of course, how Patrick “Cruxy” O' Connor paid the ultimate price for his treachery. *** TIMESTAMPS*** 00:00 Introduction 6:15 Support for Irish War of Independence in New York 17:00 The story of “Cruxy” O' Connor and the 3-man hit27:15 Jimmy McGee & the 500 Tommy Guns 32:10 Poisoning attempts on O'Connor 41:25 Similar story involving the IRB 45:45 Was this the ONLY IRA attack on American soil? FULL VIDEO EPSIODES: https://www.youtube.com/@thegoodlistenerpodcast/featuredmosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Reefer MEDnessAs a nurse and pharmacist we focus our stories on people's use and perception of...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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".I asked Julieann about impact that Bloody Sunday and her uncle's killing had on the family, the civil rights movement in N.I up until that point, the significance of the Battle of the Bogside and the Ballymurphy massacre which preceded the terrible events of January 30th 1972.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LEAVE A RATING & SHARE TO HELP THE SHOW CONTINUE TO GROWhttps://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Sunday-History-Aftermath-People-ebook/dp/B093ZMTL78TIMESTAMPS00:00 Family connection to Bloody Sunday07:05 Civil Rights movement 10:45 Battle of the Bogside & Ballymurphy massacre 18:05 BLOODY SUNDAY 33:15 Bloody Sunday as a recruiting tool for the IRA34:55 Inquests/Inquiries into Bloody Sunday & SOLDIER F upcoming trial 

(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 available on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZqPD3yV1uA)  To this day Ian Bailey remains the only person who has asked me to interview him (although I was going to ask anyway) ________________________________________________________________________________________________  For this episode I spoke to Ian Bailey. Ian moved to West Cork (Ireland) years before the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, an incident which later became subject of a 3 part Netflix series   Ian spoke to me about his memories from the time of the murder and the subsequent years of his life as Gardai pursued him as their prime suspect, his own theories regarding the killing, his reaction to the Netflix documentary and Audible series  **APOLOGIES FOR ANY BAD-QUALITY AUDIO CAUSED BY POOR INTERNET CONNECTION**  00:00 Preview 00:35 Intro and move to West Cork 7:11 First hearing about the murder  12:35 How well did Ian know Sophie (murder victim) ?? 16:20 Finding out that he was the police's (Gardai) prime suspect & treatment by Gardai  21:20 Members of the community claiming that Ian confessed  26:10 Does Ian think that the Gardai genuinely thought that he committed the murder? 27:55 Local rumor/theory about Garda killing Sophie and the “missing gate” 31:05 Marie Farrell- the witness who changed her story  34:55 Ian's reaction to audible series on the murder   37:20 Reaction to NETFLIX doc  42:35 Does Ian court attention from being a murder suspect?? 46:20 Which theory of Sophie's death's does Ian lean towards? mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 target, how the IRA Maze prison break feed into the kidnapping and the role that infamous agent Freddie Scappaticci "Stakeknife" played in Tidey's rescue.00:00 Intro2:13 IRA's fundraising efforts during the conflict 9:15 Maze prison break 14:15 Recent Gerry Kelly libel case and Gerry Adams mention in the book17:45 How and why was Don Tidey selected ?20:10 THE KIDNAPPING  24:10 Deaths during rescue27:20 The 4-man kidnap team 29:05 Freddie Scap. (STAKEKNIFE) involvement & garda/army's ability to deal with the IRA35:00 Any more ransom-kidnappings after Don Tidey's ?mosaic: Exploring Jewish Issuesmosaic is Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County's news magazine show, exploring Jewish...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify A Queen's Opinion PodcastA Queen's Opinion is a podcast that allows people, especially women, to think aloud.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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 tactics/methods of a guerrilla army. Nick shares the harrowing story of how he and his team were unfairly convicted in an Indian court and 4 torturous years in the shocking conditions of Chennai prison. TIMESTAMPS00:00 Being a soldier in post-troubles Northern Ireland including South Armagh 14:45 Afghanistan deployment 19:40 Motivation to join the army 22:40 Did Nick view the people he was fighting against to be his “enemy”? & Thoughts on fighting against guerrilla warfare 42:20 Leaving army 44:55 Private security work & getting convicted 1:09:45 PRISON TIME1:41:40 Back to England 1:51:10 Adjusting to life post-prison Living Abroad: Challenging the Myths of Expat LifeA useful, honest, often funny book for those considering or just curious about expat life

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 to join the UVF, set up a youth loyalist group and was being hunted by the British army before he was 16 years of age.Billy recounts a chilling incident when he was abducted by the british army, brought to a field where they performed a mock-execution and then brought him to a barracks where he was hung from the ceiling by his hands and savagely beaten.We spoke about the double-murder he took part in which resulted in Billy spending 10 years in Long Kesh. Billy told me about prison life, post-prison work for peace and much more PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, SHARE & LEAVE A RATING TO HELP US CONTINUE TO GROWTIMESTAMPS 00:00 Growing up in the Shankill area pre-troubles9:32 The terms “Loyalist” and “Unionist” 11:17 Earliest memory of sectarianism   16:52 The troubles kicking off 27:42 FURNITURE SHOP BOMB IN HIS AREA 36:47 Did they feel like The British govt care about them? 40:12 PARAMILITARY ACTIVITY AS A TEEN 52:42 LIFTED BY BRITISH ARMY & tortured 57:52 Did Billy's parents know about his involvement ?59:17 M*RDERS THAT SENT BILLY TO PRISON 1:02:07 “I justify everything I did in the troubles, to STAY SANE I have to”1:07:52 Collusion with security forces ???1:13:52 CATCHING AN INFORMER WITHIN UVF1:17:25 Did UVF have their own “nutting squad” like the IRA?1:18:57 Ten Years in LONG KESH1:34:52 DEATH THREATS & 1:37:17 Does N.I work as a state now?1:39:07 Thoughts on Irish reunification 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, SHARE & LEAVE A RATING TO HELP US CONTINUE TO GROWBrian 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 the legal games that were at play before his trial.Brian told us about why he felt like he had to accept a plea bargain despite being completely innocent, the monotonous reality & dangers of prison life and how he remained sane in prison.Brian's story get even more bizarre post-prison when he was on parole and his false-accuser got in contact with him with the intention of striking up a friendship. Brian used this opportunity to gather video evidence that would later clear his name and get his football career back on track.***TIMESTAMPS*** 00:00 Growing up & FALSE R*PE ALLEGATION 17:35 Arrested 30:45 Plee bargin 35:55 Sentenced 40:50 PRISON LIFE 54:15 Getting out of prison 1:01:15 PROVING HIS INNOCENCE: Secretly recording his accusers confession 1:22:45 Getting into the NFL 1:24:25 Did Brian's false-accuser face any consequences & Brian's compensation for his incarceration  1:29:05 Post NFL life 

PART 2 OF 2PLEASE 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 remains an unapologetic Irish peace processor.In the second half of our interview I asked Glenn about how he as an Irishman was viewed/treated in the British army and Glenn recalls an incident when he was asked to leave a pub in England because he was Irish despite being a serving British soldier. Glenn shared his thoughts on the degree to which collusion occurred between British security forces and why he is of the opinion that collusion could not have been as rife as it is often alleged to be. The most important aspect of Glenn's story however is his eventual turning away from violence as a form of conflict resolution and complete disillusionment with violent means. Glenn talked us through the internal process of becoming a peace advocate and his work towards a peaceful Northern Ireland. Glenn describes his internal process of moving away from the mentality of military life and dealing with PTSD as a veteran of a bloody conflict. ***TIMSETAMPS*** 00:00 Soldiers from mainland UK- how good of an understanding did they have of the conflict in N.I 8:30 Did the mainland UK soldiers consider N.I people to be British & how Irish soldiers were treated in the british 13:15 British Army collusion w/ loyalists ??19:00 When did Glen start to become disillusioned with violence (after his uncle's horrific murder) 34:10 Being an independent thinker in the army38:10 Life post-Army44:00 PTSD 57:00 People's reaction when Glenn tells them he's a former soldier 

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 about what it was like to grow up surrounded by the violence of "the troubles" conflict that began when he was a small child and particularly about the years of his youth spent in the army before he became completely disillusioned with violence after experiencing it's futility firsthand. Glenn told me about his childhood in a staunchly loyalist area of Belfast during one of Ireland's bloodiest times including when he was injured by a no-warning IRA bomb at the age of 5. We also spoke about a particularly horrific incident during the Bobby Sands riots when his schoolbus was petrol-bombed by a republican mob. Glenn would eventually join the British Army, a time in his life that he has made sure not to let define him and I was fascinated to get his insight on the soldiering of N.I.I asked about the daily realities of being a soldier during this period, what it feels like to be in a shootout with paramilitaries and how The British Army viewed the IRA and Loyalists. Glenn also explained the mindset of a trained soldier in terms of how they were trained to view their enemies/opponents.PART 2 COMING SOON ( We discussed more of Glenn's military days and how he would eventually become  entirely disillusioned with violence.)00:00 Intro & growing up in troubles-era Woodvale area6:05 Injured by IRA bomb at 5 years old13:25 How realistic was Irish reunification as a possibility in the minds of unionist people at the time?17:45 View of the RUC in the area? 20:35 How did Glen view British soldiers in the streets?22:55 GLEN'S SCHOOLBUS PETROL-B*MBED (day of Bobby Sands death) 26:16 How were loyalist paramilitaries viewed by the community in his area? 32:35 Joining British Army instead of Loyalist paramilitaries 43:00 Where was Glen 46:50 Shoot-outs with the IRA50:15 How competent did British troops consider the IRA 53:35 Any clashes w/ Loyalists 55:10 Soldiers from mainland UK- how good of an understanding did they have of the conflict in N.I