Anthony McIntyre ✒ interviewed by Patricia Devlin for the No Edit Podcast. 

Patricia Devlin has been subject to many threats over the course of her journalistic career but continues unabated in her quest to enhance public understanding.

My Life And The IRA

Anthony McIntyre ✒ interviewed by Patricia Devlin for the No Edit Podcast. 

Patricia Devlin has been subject to many threats over the course of her journalistic career but continues unabated in her quest to enhance public understanding.

19 comments:

  1. Incredible interview with living history. Thank you Anthony

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  2. This was absolutely brilliant. A piece that traversed from the pre troubles era to the present day.
    Thank you Anthony, and well done to Patricia Devlin.

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    1. Thank you - I endorse that comment on Patricia. Her grit and determination makes nuanced and wide ranging discourse more accessible.

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  3. Stick a Linfield top on and there's a lot of similarities regarding growing up in Belfast with me. I remember getting the shit kicked out of me in Queen Street when I was about 12 for being a hun too lol

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    1. Nah - not a Linfield top. I'd sooner wear a Rangers one. As I was never a Celtic supporter, Rangers were never the enemy. But Linfield . . .

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  4. Interesting interview. Any chance of you do a similar interview with some of those Loyalists you mentioned? I am sure that I am not the only person who wonders what Republican and Loyalist ex - paramilitaries discuss when they meet.

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    1. it is an idea worth considering. Time, or lack of it, will most likely inhibit progress.

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  5. So enlightening and refreshing, nice one Anthony.

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  6. What a magnificent interview with incredible honesty, courage and insights into the most dynamic period in the 800 yr occupation of our country.
    I stayed on the Donegal Rd up from the Park Centre where the Ra wacked the RUC peeler that Macker mentioned. The Brits and their quisling hired help terrorised our community, so there wasn't a tear shed when he was brought to the final court of justice.
    Macker mentioned a young girl and her story. I heard a older woman ask a young girl, 7 or 8 yrs old in the Murph "What do you want to do when you grow up"? The lass replied "I want to join the IRA and fight the Brits until they leave". That's how we and our kids were brutalised by the occupation and subsequent wars.
    I've never had to go to war but if I did Tony is the kind of revolutionary leader I'd gladly take orders from. Proud to know this incredible man in these fascinating times.

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    1. Kevin - that brought a smile. I am the most distrustful person of revolutionaries you could meet. A rule of thumb for me is that if they don't die by 30 they will sell you out. I think revolutionaries are attracted to the authoritarianism rather than the ideas. You will notice how they can easily abandon the idea but never the authoritarianism. They seem to hold onto that until the end. In my experience it is Adorno's authoritarian personality types who are most drawn to revolution - those with a need to obey and be obeyed.
      Nor do I see this sort of commentary as courageous. The real courage lies with the interviewer. She has continued to produce this type of material despite the threats to her life along with a threat to rape her baby. I find it easy to sit in my chair waffling. She has to go out into the field. That is the hard part.
      Hope all is well.

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  7. Fascinating interview Anthony!
    Although you didn't really say anything in this interview that we haven't already cleaned from your articles, or your contributions to the discussions here on TPQ, this format gives us a better understanding of who you are. Really enjoyable!

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    1. Thanks Mick - I am never in a position to tell if they are good or bad. That's right - not a lot new but Patricia did pull it together well. A better understanding of who I really am!! Are we what we say we are or do we become what we say we are?!!

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    2. Very captivating and rounded interview, Anthony. A lot of new ground covered in addition to what I have learned about your life and times from TPQ and other journalese. You really have done so well to come out the other end after all your turbulent experiences!

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  8. What struck me most that even in the dark times there were very decent people on both sides.

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    1. There always are even if the Screaming Society will howl when it is pointed out

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