Tag Archives: RUC

Working Man Blues …The Troubles 1969-1972

Posted on January 1, 2022 by fitzjameshorse

This is a re-written/edited version of an article I wrote for a USA-based academic website a few years ago. I started work aged 17 on 29th September 1969. My parents were deeply disappointed that I had decided to leave school … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Appalling Vistas

Posted on December 1, 2021 by fitzjameshorse

In the summer of 1966, a man called John Patrick Scullion was murdered in the Clonard area of West Belfast. It is the first killing of the (modern) Troubles. He was shot outside his home and died two weeks later. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Tale of Two Telephone Calls

Posted on June 27, 2020 by fitzjameshorse

Phone Call #1 It was in the mid 1970s. I had been at an evening class in the College of Business Studies in Brunswick Street.  Following the other students leaving the building and walking along Queen Street to Castle Street … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pension For Troubles “Combatants”

Posted on June 25, 2020 by fitzjameshorse

I tried to post this on Slugger O’Toole an hour ago. Seems a shame not to publish it. The nature of posting on Slugger (his gaffe, his rules) and Czar (my gaffe, my rules) is that I am somewhat more … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Loughinisland

Posted on June 10, 2016 by fitzjameshorse

What exactly can be said? We all remember where we were that night in summer 1994. I had two young sons wearing Ireland football shirts and we were in front of the TV watching Ireland play Italy at the World … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments

Dr Robert Irwin RIP

Posted on March 20, 2015 by fitzjameshorse

I just opened an email, with the message “FJH, did you know that Dr Robert Irwin is dead?” I had to think for a minute. In part because I assumed that Dr Irwin was maybe already dead. And I dont … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Larkin…A Long Resignation Letter?

Posted on November 21, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

There is the LAW. There is POLITICS. Maybe Politics is the application of Law, Education, Environment, Health, Defence and all the rest. There are some professionals…economists, military, doctors, scientists, lawyers who can operate in the political world. And others who … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Police Farce (sic) Games

Posted on August 5, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

Of all the bad ideas….Titanic, City of Culture, G8 Summit, Poet Laureate for Belfast….the World Police and Firefighter Games is probably the worst since Justin Bieber and the MTV Awards. There is the Olympic Games. There are regional competions such … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Pacifists Or Spivs?

Posted on January 31, 2013 by fitzjameshorse

Ever watch Dads Army? Can’t say that I was a big fan but it is certainly classic TV. It actually looks better now than it did in the 1970s. But here is a thought that occurred to me after watching … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Political Policing?

Posted on December 5, 2012 by fitzjameshorse

I was talking to a young police officer a few nights ago. I had not spoken to her in about eighteen months, when she had just finished training. I have noticed a big change in her..she is not quite so … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments