Northern Ireland communities – paths to peace
There were two clear sides to the conflict in the North of Ireland: Protestant and Catholics. The Royal Ulster Constabulary by its very title was seen as being loyal to aims of a united Ireland, with local administration but ruled from Westminster. The RUCs reputation was one of being anti-Republican, the force itself was so heavily staffed by non-Catholics that any justice it meted out was usually seen as being bias and one-sided.
In fact, there were accusations of collusion by the officers, of them assisting Loyalist Paramilitaries in the assassinations of Republicans. The RUC itself was superseded by the PSNI (Police Service of NI) in 2001 to have a fresh start and represent all the communities.
It is against this backdrop that former RUC man Sam Thompson sat down to speak with Séan Murray and Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew about his time in the controversial policing service, sometimes serving notorious Republican enclaves and seeing colleagues under frequent attacks and sometimes even seriously injured or killed. Sam has been a part of the movement from both sides of the community hoping to show that despite the fractious past, a new future is possible.
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