We talked to former RUC member, Sam Thompson. He experienced the loss of a number of colleagues and friends and saw numerous killings and bombings during the conflict.

Sam retired in 2008 and expanded his love of history through writing a history of the Second World War where he now lectures on the subject.

The Conversation (Episode 7) with Sam Thompson

The Senior Hurlers live with Clare Daly & László Molnárfi,
Why being critical of the EU doesn't make you Nigel Farage,
In a world of depoliticised politicians and students' unions: what politicised Clare and László,
What can the left learn from the Trinity College Dublin encampment.

The Ditch Podcast (Episode 9)

The Senior Hurlers live with Catherine Connolly and Thomas Pringle discussing: 
The political establishment's attack on neutrality,
What independents should demand of a left government,
Whether politics is getting nastier.

The Ditch Podcast (Episode 10)

The Senior Hurlers live with Mairead Farrell, Gary Gannon and Paul Murphy discussing: 
Sign them up, sign them up: vote transfer pacts – what can they achieve,
There’s power in a union: what the left could achieve with a bit of unity,
Got our mojo workin’ – or do we: has the left lost energy since 2020?

The Ditch Podcast (Episode 11)

The Ditch’s Roman Shortall live with Owen Jones discussing:
If you build it: getting left media together,
Why a country would leave the European Union,
What an ongoing genocide in Gaza says about the world.

The Ditch Podcast (Episode 12)

Political muralist & artist, Danny Devenny speaks about his work on Palestine and his time inside Long Kesh Prison.

The Conversation (Series 2 Episode 13) Danny Devenny: Political Protest & Conflict Art

A former British soldier and Ex-IRA volunteer speak about the longest continuous employment in British military history. Was Operation Banner a success? former enemies speak.

The Conversation (Series 3 Episode 1) Seán Murray & Glenn Bradley: Operation Banner.

Billy McManus and Mark Sykes speak about the Sean Graham’s Bookmakers’ Massacre and last week’s incursion into the small nationalist enclave of the Lower Ormeau Road by elements of the far-right and Loyalism.

The Conversation (Series 3 Episode 2) Billy McManus & Mark Sykes: Sean Graham Bookmakers' Massacre

Journalist and Political Commentator Richard Medhurst speaks about the targeted murder of journalists in the Middle East, Israeli participation in the Olympics and the Julian Assange case.

The Conversation (Series 3 Episode 3) Richard Medhurst: Assange & The Death of Journalism.

Author and Academic Dr. Michael Flavin speaks about the anti-Irish prejudice in England during the conflict, the Birmingham Pub Bombing and his research into Irish Republican leadership.

The Conversation (Series 3 Episode 4) The Irish Diaspora in 1970s Britain: Michael Flavin.

Former IRA man, Joe Doherty speaks about his arrest for the killing of SAS man, Herbert Westmacott, his escape during the trial and his journey as an on-the-run in America. 

In his subsequent arrest he fought a 9-year-long extradition battle from a New York prison where he shared a cell with John Gotti and other leading mob figures as well as members of the Black Panther Movement. It’s an extraordinary tale told by the man himself.

The Conversation (Series 3 Episode 5) Joe Doherty: The IRA’s Longest Prisoner Pt.1

The Conversation takes an alternative look at political events and current affairs around Ireland.

The Conversation (Episode 7) with Sam Thompson

The Conversation TV Show

Related tracks