Should the RIC be commemorated at all?

The Hard Shoulder Highlights

The Hard Shoulder Highlights with Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk. Join Kieran every weekday afternoon from 4-7pm for a round-up of the day’s events, interviews with the people at the centre of the stories – and a bit of craic along the way. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

Should the RIC be commemorated at all?

More than 85,000 men served in the Royal Irish Constabulary between 1814 and 1922, and more than 500 of those policemen were killed between 1919 and 1922. However, a question has arisen today about whether these men and their organisation should be commemorated at all, as an official event has been set for later this month in Dublin. The Mayor of Clare, Cathal Crowe has decided not to attend the commemoration service, and then the Lord Mayor of Cork John Sheehan also said he wouldn't be attending. Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald has called for the event to be cancelled. The next few years will see a number of centenaries that are likely to cause upset and controversy when we look back at the years leading up to and during the War of Independence. Lorcan Collins is a historian and author of "Ireland’s War of Independence," and he joined Ivan in studio to discuss the controversial role this force played in Ireland from the early 1800s right through to the Civil War.

Podcasts

The Hard Shoulder Highlights

Latest episodes

How to do Stuff: Pretending to be an expert

Trump’s first 100 days - how has he done?

Knowing all the forms of leave you can take at work

Tech Takeover: Who are ‘Scattered Spider’?

Does Ireland need to invest in a military radar?

Is the social care system in Ireland fit for purpose?

Should the RIC be commemorated at all?