The Policed Podcast

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

In this new side-series to Policed, Dr Vicky Conway will look at news and issues relating to policing, bringing expert perspectives and continuing to reflect on what this means for those who are policed. This will be available exclusively to our tortoise shack members going forward.

In this episode Vicky is joined by Dr Michael Mulqueen, who is Professor of Policing and National Security at the University of Central Lancashire and is also a serving Superintendent in the Cheshire Constabulary.

They discuss the issue of Mental Health in the Police and the recent report on a study into the mental health of police in our Gardai, which revealed that 63% of Garda experience trauma at work.

This is a perspective and insight you won't hear anywhere else.

To get access to Policed: The Beat and support the wider tortoise shack project join us: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

This week, we speak to two teenagers, Orlaith and Brendan (not real names) about their experience of stop and search in a town in Donegal.

Stop and search, while often a short, minor encounter, can have huge consequences and we see that in how these young people feel about the police. We know so little about stop and search in Ireland but Orlaith and Brendan tell us what it's like for them. Dr John Topping and Professor Alex Vitale explain some of the issues that arise.

Support this project: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

This week Dr Vicky Conway took the lead and brought Martin, Linda and Tony through the stories of the week.

We were joined by Special Guests, Adeline Berry, Rhona McCord and Aoife-Grace Moore as we discussed the US Election result, the hopes for the Biden-Harris Presidency, Sinn Féin's no confidence motion in Leo Varadkar, #WoulfeWatch, issues around Domestic Violence, the protests in the streets of Poland around abortion rights and Intersex Solidarity Day.

Then we opened the mics up and heard from our Tortoise Shack family. It is always the best podcast of the week.

To come along to the next Live Podcast join us at: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

It has been a tumultuous week that has seen Ireland's legacy of Institutional Abuse come to the fore in both the public and political realm. On this crossover podcast, Dr Vicky Conway and Tony are joined by Senator Alice-Mary Higgins and Solicitor Simon McGarr to try and make sense of it all.

The panel look at the legal, ethical and political arguments and ask how did we get here and where are we going to next. We also look at the actions of the State and their speeding up of legislation, that inhibits proper scrutiny and its reliance on the guillotine to pass Bills, even when their efficacy is at best questionable and at worst damaging.

Finally, we take heart from the all of the incredible people who made their voices heard this week and took a #Stand4Truth.

To support this podcast and the wider platform (and get lots of additional content) please go to: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

In July of this year Estefany was held in Mountjoy Prison in solitary confinement for 12 days after she attempted to enter the country: this detention was held to be unlawful. Estefany describes for us what happened at the airport, how she was treated, and how she ended up in prison - it's a visceral account of her experience. Dr Liam Thornton and journalist Luke Butterly provide context on the wider system as we consider the Garda role in this process.

Support this project by joining us: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

This is part two of the story of Osgur Breatnach, who was wrongfully convicted in 1978 of the Sallins Mail Train Robbery. In this episode we hear about his trials and conviction before the Special Criminal Court. Dr Fergal Davis helps us understand the controversies of that court. We hear of Osgur's time in prison and the campaign for this release. We discuss the impact all of this had on him and his family, with his brother Cormac contributing. The ongoing campaign for an apology and accountability is also detailed.

Support this project:patreon.com/tortoiseshack Artwork by @Ciaraioch. Production, editing and sound design by Brian at Grooves Ahead. CC credits: Frankum, samulis, The Tides, tkky, klankbeeld, kinoton, stratcat322, dbspin, waveplay, oscii, tim kahn, felix blume, tradeshowmusic, soapuel

Osgur’s website: https://sallinsinquirynow.ie/

Cormac’s website: https://www.thewhistleblower.ie/

Cormac’s music: https://cormacjuanbreatnach1.bandcamp.com/releases

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

Over the next two weeks, we speak to Osgur Breatnach, who was wrongfully convicted in 1978 of the Sallins Mail Train Robbery.

This conviction was based on a false confession which he provided have been beaten by the Heavy Gang, a group that operated within An Garda Síochána. In this part, we remind listeners of the context of the 1970s, and Osgur bravely describes his arrest, treatment and abuse, telling us just how severe it got. Dr Sinead Ring outlines some of the legal issues around confession evidence.

Support this project at: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

This week Oscar, a primary school teacher who grew up in a working class area, tells of being unlawfully arrested, searched and detained as a child. He tells what it felt like in the moment, and what the impact has been on his attitude towards the Gardaí.

We also speak to Prof Ursula Kilkelly about why and how children must be treated differently by the police, and Dr TJ McIntyre explains the law concerning filming the police.

Support this project by joining us at: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Follow us on twitter @PolicedPodcast

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

In this two part episode we speak to family of Terence Wheelock, who died after falling ill in Garda custody in 2005. The family speak powerfully about what it was like to have a loved one die in such circumstances, and how they have been treated by the police since then as they have searched for answers. We also hear from Gary Gannon, TD, and Dr Jonathan Ilan, of London City University.

Part 1 looks at Terence the man, what exactly happened on 02 June 2005 and explores the range of doubts and questions that haunt the Wheelock family.

Part 2 focuses on the investigations that have occurred into his death, the harassment that the family have endured since then, and why they are calling for a public inquiry.

Please support this project and the wider tortoise shack by joining us at: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

.wpedon-container .wpedon-select,

.wpedon-container .wpedon-input {

width: 170px;

min-width: 170px;

max-width: 170px;

}

In this episode we speak to family of Terence Wheelock, who died after falling ill in Garda custody in 2005. The family speak powerfully about what it was like to have a loved one die in such circumstances, and how they have been treated by the police since then as they have searched for answers. We also hear from Gary Gannon, TD, and Dr Jonathan Ilan, of London City University.

Part 1 looks at Terence the man, what exactly happened on 02 June 2005 and explores the range of doubts and questions that haunt the Wheelock family.

Part 2 focuses on the investigations that have occurred into his death, the harrassment that the family have endured since then, and why they are calling for a public inquiry.

Please support these podcasts and this project by going to patreon.com/tortoiseshack