IRA's Special Forces Unit | Toby Harnden, Author of "Bandit Country" on The SOUTH ARMAGH IRA

[@thegoodlistenerpodcast]

TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 16:20 Stats & Facts on The South Armagh IRA 21:45 Thomas “Slab” Murphy & the Murphy family 43:00 1970’s 1:03:50 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

[@johntranter1171]

Another great interview. The interviewer really knows his stuff and allows the guest to do the most of the talking, keep them coming please

[@SweetDreams-wt7vo]

Hence, The Good Listener!

[@mytoiletshitehouse]

Wise up . The interviewer recently said he seems to remember some sort significance about July 12th . I near pissed myself laughing. REALLY ???

[@carthy29]

Just read it, brilliant book - great interview, thanks for your work

[@ashleyupshall7641]

Great stuff. Thanks for bringing it all together.🇮🇪✌️

[@John-eo4zm]

Really good episode. The book is of a high calibre amongst those of the period. Really recommend it. Good use of facts / details by the host.

[@coughlantom4139]

John that was excellent & your own personal knowledge helped it in a big way. Keep 'er Lit.

[@Quackfly]

A friend of mines father-in-law was stationed in cross RUC Barracks for years. He has read all the troubles related books unsaid most of them were grossly inaccurate apart from Bandit Country he said that was spot on.

[@moonpig16]

Grossly inaccurate? Why should anyone care what someone working in or for the RUC would have to say.

[@MarkOLeary-x5e]

Another brilliant episode- thanks so much! Read Bandit Country in the early 2000s - fantastic book, reads like a thriller but all factual.

[@aidanodea3869]

To the interviewer: who was your grandad who fought in Cork in Tan War? What brigade in Cork was he OC ? Ive read most of the books published and am just interested. Would love to see an indept study of crossbarry engagement. There are a few out there ( Guerilla days etc) . Its probably worth a couple of chapters on its own

[@richarddepledge960]

First thing you got shown was photos of soldiers that had been compromised and then taken on and killed in an op. It made you respect your enemy.

[@caseyaylward8853]

Irish history is awesome.

[@gw8147]

Read the book "Bandit County" in 2000, great read.

[@ZeusMyhero]

I would like to know if any of the men who fought our country believe we are being invaded again by a different enemy this time in 2024?? And if so what should we do about it?

[@Damiansweldingshortz]

Ask them politely to leave lol 😂

[@ZeusMyhero]

@@Damiansweldingshortz I would but they don’t speak English

[@dennishbergkamp]

Most people I see in Sligo are Nigerian or Middle Eastern these days. I cross the border to NI and see barely any illegal immigrants or asylum seekers. It's a weird contrast. No wars in Nigeria - safe country, just a shit hole - so basically they're economic migrants who come here to sponge the welfare system. People literally can't get a house, children can't get school places, college students homeless, prospective teachers leaving the country because they can't find a house. Meanwhile you have these people coming here and overburdening the healthcare system and basically lowering the quality of life for everyone else in the country. Say what you want about the Scots and English but they came here legally with permission of the ruling crown (morally dubious though that was), and at least they have transferable skills that extend beyond procreating and opening cash only rat infested takeaways and vape shops.

[@teddyamok]

That's a good question. I know nothing about republicanism and so am a little confused on the SF stance in the south. Are SF wanting the immigration and all that goes with it? I've lived in Scotland last 20 years and so am completely out of touch but I'm really struggling to understand why SF would welcome the mass influx of unidentified illegal immigrants.

[@ZeusMyhero]

@@teddyamok Leo Varsdkar was trained W.H.O /Mi5, to sievert the Irish parliament and the remaining 26 countries, he is all so the CEO of merderna the company that made the vaccine of covert 19, that’s why he resigned, plus Drue Harris had a life time oth to the Queen (MI5)- it’s all in the deputy commissioner Marie McMahon report that has been suppressed by KZbin if you can find it , it will tell you all you need to know, it came out on the 20th of march this year we all heard it but it wiped from KZbin months all my friend

[@CathalOGradaigh]

Great interview. I read BANDIT COUNTRY when it came out years ago but great to hear all the side stories. Toby Harnden is good. Go raibh maith agat

[@JamesFaulds-g3g]

Brendan Hughes was targeted for death by the Det-14th intel company many times. He was an expert operator even though he was self taught.

[@gerard1965able]

we hid Darkie in Dublin then sent him to Cuba on recon.

[@JamesFaulds-g3g]

Darky Hughes called the GFA Got Fuck All. And he was wrong. N. Ireland now has a semblance of peace after 40 years of fighting a 'war' the nationalists simply could not win.

[@JamesFaulds-g3g]

Brendan Hughes died a bitter man and bitter at one man inparticular: Gerry Adams. His former c/o now a politician, who famously said the ira would drive the British into the Irish sea. Really? Oh that's right, the rebels unconditionally surrendered, mmm.

[@dowdallerno1]

@@JamesFaulds-g3g "unconditionally surrendered" was there not an agreement? 🤔

[@El_terrible1985]

@@JamesFaulds-g3gBrendan the dark Hughes was a legend. A man with more integrity than you and anyone you’ll ever know will ever have

[@jameslarkin8494]

Graffiti on the wall was "13 gone not forgotten we got 18 and Mountbatten"

[@1971barracks.]

What good did that do you, you are still being ruled by the British

[@ZeusMyhero]

@@jameslarkin8494 that may be so, but the writing on the wall is the truth

[@JohnMurphy-mx7pd]

The #Yank air force own Shannon . ✈ ✈

[@AnnesleyPlaceDub70]

With the nationalists in charge in Stormomt which would have been unthinkable 20 years ago. The butchers apron doesn't fly over Stormont every day, the Irish language act has been passed and rightly so seeing as it's the original dialect of this island. Good man yourself 😂​@@ZeusMyhero

[@northernsegageorge6510]

I bought the book few days ago after listening to the interview. It is so far a really good read and added to my collection of books on the conflict. Makes me wonder exactly how much weaponry the PIRA still have control over? No way they didn't keep enough for a new campaign if required?

[@aidanodea3869]

I bought one of the first edition, fell apart on me too. Poor quality.

[@northernsegageorge6510]

@@aidanodea3869 Do you mean first edition as when i came out in the 90's? It is one book i had wanted for years but it was people charging silly amounts for a used copy that put me off. I bought the paperback copy from Amazon and it is decent quality. Seems pretty much same quality as most of my books.

[@g9604]

Iv read the book also. Not watched all this podcast yet. Are you assuming they kept weapons for a potential future conflict?

[@northernsegageorge6510]

@ I think so yes. Why would they surrender all their weapons when a UI has still not happened? The weapons used by the PIRA in the Short Strand a few years ago were brand new weapons. That was the incident that happened after Jock Davidson was taken out in the markets area. Plus the PIRA need weapons to defend themselves against any dissidents so forth. Would be foolish to give them all up.

[@mrmoney2249]

Great interview, going to give it a read

[@g9604]

I have read the book and watched about 90 mins of this podcast so far. As I would describe myself as Unionist and British I would never have taken the south armagh brigade for granted likewise East Tyrone. They were successful in controlling the ground from the British Army and RUC, but in the end lost the battle and probably the war, primarily through politics. Whilst they didnt agree with what was settled for in 1998 as a defeated IRA, they moved on and thankfully its over for now.

[@Rainman71625]

Would be interesting to hear your recommendations on any movies based on the war in Ireland for us learning to check out , anyway thanks for the podcast take care

[@Kevin-lo1le]

Hit the like button please 🙏

[@gailday7636]

Mental health assessment 👍

[@tamegomait]

Awesome book👏👏

[@gailday7636]

Nobody wants to lose their loved ones ❤

[@paulpaisley5291]

Why aren't they protecting Irish people now 😂😂😂😂😂

[@WilliamMiller-m1f]

I wonder if Brandon Houghes was the one that said something about the safe houses in Belfast that came from the land agent that the dark cought onto that was later killed

[@Marius_vanderLubbe]

His name was Brendan Hughes - and he was excellent at punctuation.

[@paddyjohnhughes]

it was Brendan Hughes - the fella in question was Joe Fenton

[@parkgate-ub1ey]

Darkie was well respected by both sides

[@yourmasellsavon]

Joe was also executed before Brendan could interrogate him himself, scap probably hurried his meeting with his maker knowing now he was touting himself

[@gailday7636]

Knowledge ❤

[@gerard1965able]

Bandit Country is about one person, "✨🎆The Assassin,🎆✨".

[@paulbartlett8596]

The SAM7b attack you mentioned was ‘91, not ‘81.

[@thegoodlistenerpodcast]

@@paulbartlett8596 Correct.. misspoke, had 91 in my notes and all 🙄🙄

[@gailday7636]

My favourite song is the boys are back in town ❤

[@El_terrible1985]

What a book

[@ZeusMyhero]

Dont forget about the PADRE

[@seanmcgabriel207]

Sickeningly callous treatment of human tragedies. These were young men, not statistics.

[@gailday7636]

Faerie fort ❤

[@nealpalmer3841]

Vaguely remember reading this book when I was younger.Was the border fox one man or numerous people?

[@stuts8296]

The Border Fox was Dessie O'Hare, Google him and just look into his eyes in any picture. A stone cold killer

[@gailday7636]

Free Ireland ❤

[@clario2178]

The only bandits were the foreign tans .☘️💪

[@patrick-rt8py]

This guy running this podcast comes across as he knows everything but drops the ball alot

[@gerardhenry5501]

The people who know are not talking

[@ZeusMyhero]

It said 13 dead but not forgotten

[@henrylawson938]

It's the North of Ireland NOT Northern Ireland.

[@yourmasellsavon]

Behave yourself Henry 😂

[@fintonmainz7845]

Childish

[@Banksy_32]

It's the occupied six county's

[@fintonmainz7845]

@Banksy_32 counties

[@BlairMayne-iv2bw]

There's a million that will say different

[@JungleUTFR]

They hid in shadows, rarely came out to fight man to man

[@irenemohan]

That’s why it’s called guerrilla warfare.

[@hugheslivesonforever5045]

Who, the SAS? Correct

[@hammersmashedspud4345]

That's untrue

[@gailday7636]

Free Ireland nation

[@gailday7636]

This person must want a British border

[@gailday7636]

All the hunger strike ❤ wanted a free Ireland ❤

[@MR-mc6rj]

As a Southerner I'm curious what South Armagh thought of Adams/ McGuinness. I get the impression they trusted McGuinness but were a bit weary of Adams.

[@Barrysmith567]

McGinnis the informer?

[@MR-mc6rj]

@@Barrysmith567 Says who ???

[@Barrysmith567]

@MR-mc6rj says a great deal of people... I don't think we will ever know the truth tho

[@Barrysmith567]

@@MR-mc6rj we haven't heard many rumours about Adams being mi5 but we have with McGinnis

[@MR-mc6rj]

@@Barrysmith567 Could you be a little more vague ! Which people, name names. Is it cause he sued for peace ?? How do you know Slab wasn't an informer. Maybe you're an agent sowing discord.

[@gordonrogers2437]

Vote for slab Murphy

[@gailday7636]

The Sky ❤

[@ryanjonestownmassaker5943]

This is the best one yet. I remember during the troubles and coming back from a music festival in the South. We stopped off in Crossmaglen for food and I will never forget the reception. Everyone was staring at us, or rather dirty looks. The person serving us asked a lot of questions before deciding to return with the food. Couldn't wait to leave.

[@biddyearly9262]

Anytime I've been I feel at home.

[@ryanjonestownmassaker5943]

Yeah, but we were new faces, so they were a tad suspicious.​@@biddyearly9262

[@tomfitzsimons7381]

​@@biddyearly9262❤

[@gailday7636]

Gravity ❤

[@gailday7636]

1916❤

[@gailday7636]

Bobby sands❤

[@gailday7636]

God bless the victims of Sunday ❤

[@YGELLYPIKER]

I heard the SAS were bringing down soviet gunships in Afghanistan with stingers

[@Stockman143]

Wasnt it true that the time the sniper team was caught ,they got the better of the sas team on hand to hand fighting, only for reinforcements landed .

[@johnbush6901]

No, it wasnt

[@Stockman143]

@johnbush6901 it is

[@seanmcgabriel207]

Another lie

[@Stockman143]

@seanmcgabriel207 balls

[@gerardhenry5501]

Don’t think this was true there was a dozen Sas there

[@nonaynever4361]

And when we hear the battle cry, it will be them fighting men from crossmaglen.

[@gailday7636]

Intelligent ❤

[@gailday7636]

Belfast?????!

[@gailday7636]

I'm realated to Patrick

[@gerardhenry5501]

Patrick ?

[@gailday7636]

Mark ❤😂

[@reggiedunlop-w1r]

Great book and awesome author. Good to see its reprinted. My book is in shambles

[@gailday7636]

What about the British information

[@NAKEDTRUTHMe]

The Dark is a legend

[@gailday7636]

Do you know the moon rules water

[@ZeusMyhero]

🇮🇪✊🏻🇮🇪🙏❤️

[@gailday7636]

Intelligent

[@gailday7636]

Roscommon ❤ 🌓🌙🌖🌕🌒🌗🌘☘️

[@Kyteasahigh]

*He was a British soldier & he sees masked men in his dark room everynight & he starts shaking & screaming uncontrollably*

[@Oddly1970]

Then along came the SAS 🇬🇧

[@biddyearly9262]

They were a formidable enemy for the British army. You have never served in the army and talk like a walter mitty. The SAS study IRA tactics going back to Tom Barry. If you are being honest you know they were good at what they did.​@@Oddly1970

[@biddyearly9262]

Mate that isn't one bit funny. There is people from all sides who have struggled because of this conflict. Innocent catholics have suffered because of the IRA, so f you.

[@angloaust1575]

The border was the problem The ira could slip.over into eire Whereas the security forces couldnt Due to political.pressure Different scenario in 1649 when cromwell not impeded By politicians could! News travelled slow in those days!

[@gailday7636]

Why do you hate Irish people?

[@jimbrown6015]

Not sectarian? At the start of the Troubles the protestant population of south Armagh was around 3000. It went down to around 800. A lot of those families moved into mid Armagh and south east Tyrone.

[@biddyearly9262]

Moved out themselves to get away from themuns

[@richarddepledge960]

Just shows how useless they were. Could not shoot down a wessex helicopter. Nothing could be easier or slower. The road shoot. They used a gpmg stolen off the kosb. Helicopter stopped short of following them over he border.

[@biddyearly9262]

*BuLlShIt* is that the word you are looking for?

[@NAKEDTRUTHMe]

Have you watched the series .Say Nothing.

[@gailday7636]

Knowledge ❤

[@gailday7636]

Faerie fort ❤

[@gailday7636]

Free Ireland ❤