News / The Conversation

Enemy turned ally: Irish peace and reconciliation

Monday, 09 October 2023 12:17 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 09 October 2023 2:43 AM ]

Operation Banner, was the name given to the British army's role during the conflict that began in 1969 and continued until it officially ended in 2007. The tensions that engulfed the Northern Ireland during this period were at fever pitch.

Communities were deeply entrenched in their side of the conflict with Unionists, who pledged allegiance to Britain, pitted against Republicans, who wanted an end to rule from Westminster and a united Ireland. The end result had been bloodshed, anguish and fear on both sides. Thousands of mostly young men from both sides of the conflict were behind bars, charged with various offences. At its peak, over 10,000 were incarcerated and hundreds killed.

It's against this backdrop that Glenn Bradley joined the British Army -- the focus of Republican ire -- and vowed to exact revenge on those he saw as tormenting his community. He was a formidable soldier, who by his own account signed up with Britain's "occupying force" because his desire to join a deadly paramilitary was blocked by members of his immediate family who feared the likely tragic outcome. His journey is explored in this edition of The Conversation - a unique broadcast opportunity to probe and delve deeper into a story that mainstream media largely ignores.

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Northern Ireland