Delve into the hidden world of the UVF with guest Iain Turner, an expert on Northern Ireland’s loyalist paramilitaries. We unpack the origins of the UVF’s weapons and explosives, their approach to informers, the controversy of Robin Jackson, and why Iain questions the existence of the Glenanne Gang. This compelling conversation uncovers fresh perspectives and lesser-heard stories from one of the most secretive paramilitary groups operating during the Troubles.

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You can get check out the latest range of merchandise including Jumpers, hoodies, t-shirts, totes and hats, here:

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Will be back to business as usual next week.

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Sunday, January 4th, 1976. Reavey brothers, Brian, Anthony and John are alone in the house eating biscuits and watching TV.

Suddenly, he men saw the barrels of automatic machine guns appear in the window above the front door of the house. 

At that moment, the door burst open and three armed men came through the door, unleashing a barrage of machine gun fire at the young men inside. 

This episode tells the story of brothers who were shot and killed in their home.

We’ll explore the investigation into their murders, the secret ties between loyalist militants and some police and soldiers, and the campaign of harassment their family faced for decades afterward

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In this episode, Rory Nugent shares his extraordinary experience embedded inside the IRA during one of the most turbulent periods of the Troubles.

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The Balcombe Street Gang were an active service unit based in London, and one of the Provisional IRA’s most efficient units operating outside of Northern Ireland. Their 14-month campaign saw them planting upwards of 40 bombs around the London area, which killed and injured many and struck terror in the hearts of Londoners. 

Their reign came to an end after a six-day siege took place between members of the gang and the London metropolitan police and in this episode we will learn about the gang itself, and the siege which was watched live on TV by millions of people around the world.

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Chris Stothers was an officer in Northern Ireland and was a part of the new rebranded police force, the PSNI, which had replaced the RUC.

But this period of peace time policing was anything but, and Chris ended up shot in the stomach at point blank range by dissident republicans during a protest in 2010.

In this episode Chris tells his story, and talks about life after policing.

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Dominic McGlinchey, was one of the most wanted Republican paramilitaries in Ireland during the Troubles. First with a small unit of freelance paramilitaries, he then joined the PIRA before changing sides and joining up with the INLA.

He would soon gain full control of the INLA and under his control, the group carried some significant attacks on the security services. But when he tried to leave paramilitary life behind, his violent past would catch up with him.

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In the conclusion of my conversation with former undercover agent Martin McGartland, we dive into the aftermath of his dramatic escape in Belfast and the challenges he faced while living under threat in England, as gunmen would eventually find out where he was living.

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This is an interview with Martin McGartland, who is a former informer who was kidnapped by the IRA after they became suspicious of his activities. There is a lot in this interview, including first hand accounts of how he became an informer, the activities he carried out, and then what things were like when he got caught. This is the first part of a two part episode.

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Also over on Patreon I have just released a bonus episode. It is a bit older than my usual ones and focuses on one of the seminal moments during the Irish War for Independence, which saw British Soldiers shooting dead Irish civilians attending a GAA match.

The day, which is known as Bloody Sunday did not occur during the Troubles, but has so many similarities with the one that occurred in 1972.

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