Great stuff as always Kevin and Oisin. As a little anecdote from Portlaoise Prison, when I was in charge of the Guard platoon there for a three-month tour of duty, I was waiting to brief the platoon before starting their 9-hour shift. While waiting for them all to arrive I was looking at the old original perimeter wall from when the British built the original prison. Now, I was only looking at it from the point of view of using it to improve my rock climbing skills. As the platoon assembled, one of the lads who was in the Military Pentathlon team with me said "Come away from it Sir, you'll never get off the ground" to which I replied "Would you like to put some money on that?" and he decided that he would bet me 5 pounds that I wouldn't get more than 5 feet off the ground. Never one to back away from a challenge I decided that I would bet 10 pounds that I would get within 5 feet from the top of what was a seriously high prison wall. Challenge accepted, I trained for a few weeks after every 9-hour shift, and one evening when the Military Governor was gone home I decided on my attempt. The whole platoon was out and I managed to get within 3 feet from the top and could have reached it but would not be able to reverse that last move, so I decided that I would downclimb the wall and happily took a 10-pound note from the guy who was now being slagged unmercifully by the entire platoon. In true military fashion, the story spread like wildfire and a colleague some months later informed me that 'someone' had climbed up the wall of the prison, climbed down the far side, went into the town to get some cigarettes and then reversed the entire procedure. A prison break that never was. Keep up the great work guys.
Absolutely Kevin, it was 3 days in and 3 days out for 3 months. Back then there were two platoons in for each trip. I believe it changed some time later and a Pl + would do it all for the 3-day trip. As far as I am aware that mission is now over and there is no military guard in the prison, which by the way, has a big new modern Prison beside it. If you get a chance, we could circle back to the archaeology and the climbing, two subjects close to your own heart!!!
As long as no one codes on Oisin while he podcasts his contributions are always appreciated. Phil Lynott's voice played as background in my head when y'all said "jailbreak."
It wasn't Fusco, it was Doherty. Got the book, 'Killer in Clowntown' somewheres. Nicked in Clancy's bar. Named a street after him in New York! Great show. Cheers...
Frank Aiken 1922, 105 Prisoners Escape Dundalk prison. His sister Nano snuck the grenade, used as a diversion, in her dress as ladies weren't really checked thoroughly back then. Frank was only in prison for 10 days and at 24 years old went back to Dundalk a few weeks later and freed another 200+ men. Not a bad summers work for a young fella.
There was also a breakout from a ship (used to house prisoners) in Belfast lough . From memory prisoners noticed that seals would not trigger any sonar alarms. So followed the same path as them.
Great podcast easy to listen to I'm 42 from Belfast and grew up on these stories I would enjoy a podcast on Francis Hughes and Dominic MC glinchey if you've never done one another pair of top tier operator's IV also been fascinated by the narowwater operation and the murder of lord Mountbatten
I remember the Westmacott Shooting in Belfast and the M60 gang. I'm related to one of the guys who got away to the states. Loving this story because I remember it all.
I forget the British secretary of state name. But it must have been 1969 or early 1970s when he stood up in Westminster and declared that they were at WAR with the I.R.A
Great stuff as always Kevin and Oisin. As a little anecdote from Portlaoise Prison, when I was in charge of the Guard platoon there for a three-month tour of duty, I was waiting to brief the platoon before starting their 9-hour shift. While waiting for them all to arrive I was looking at the old original perimeter wall from when the British built the original prison. Now, I was only looking at it from the point of view of using it to improve my rock climbing skills. As the platoon assembled, one of the lads who was in the Military Pentathlon team with me said "Come away from it Sir, you'll never get off the ground" to which I replied "Would you like to put some money on that?" and he decided that he would bet me 5 pounds that I wouldn't get more than 5 feet off the ground. Never one to back away from a challenge I decided that I would bet 10 pounds that I would get within 5 feet from the top of what was a seriously high prison wall. Challenge accepted, I trained for a few weeks after every 9-hour shift, and one evening when the Military Governor was gone home I decided on my attempt. The whole platoon was out and I managed to get within 3 feet from the top and could have reached it but would not be able to reverse that last move, so I decided that I would downclimb the wall and happily took a 10-pound note from the guy who was now being slagged unmercifully by the entire platoon. In true military fashion, the story spread like wildfire and a colleague some months later informed me that 'someone' had climbed up the wall of the prison, climbed down the far side, went into the town to get some cigarettes and then reversed the entire procedure. A prison break that never was. Keep up the great work guys.
Thanks Kevin, did i get the 9 hour shift correct ? it's been a long time
Absolutely Kevin, it was 3 days in and 3 days out for 3 months. Back then there were two platoons in for each trip. I believe it changed some time later and a Pl + would do it all for the 3-day trip. As far as I am aware that mission is now over and there is no military guard in the prison, which by the way, has a big new modern Prison beside it. If you get a chance, we could circle back to the archaeology and the climbing, two subjects close to your own heart!!!
As long as no one codes on Oisin while he podcasts his contributions are always appreciated.
Phil Lynott's voice played as background in my head when y'all said "jailbreak."
More Irish military content 🇮🇪 Tiocfaidh ár lá🇮🇪 keep up the good work kev.
Really really enjoyed these history focuses episodes
Another great informative pod. Thanks Kevin and Oisin.
Please upload this as a podcast. Love listening to these while working.
Fantastic stuff again , as usual gents!
You need to do a episode on the Great Famine ,
Save Ireland from the globalists ! Ireland for the Irish FRENs
It wasn't Fusco, it was Doherty. Got the book, 'Killer in Clowntown' somewheres. Nicked in Clancy's bar. Named a street after him in New York! Great show. Cheers...
I love your discussions with Oisin. Be fun to discuss the mini series “say nothing”.
Another great escape was the Catalpa rescue of Fenian prisoners from Fremantle prison .
Frank Aiken 1922, 105 Prisoners Escape Dundalk prison. His sister Nano snuck the grenade, used as a diversion, in her dress as ladies weren't really checked thoroughly back then. Frank was only in prison for 10 days and at 24 years old went back to Dundalk a few weeks later and freed another 200+ men. Not a bad summers work for a young fella.
There was also a breakout from a ship (used to house prisoners) in Belfast lough . From memory prisoners noticed that seals would not trigger any sonar alarms. So followed the same path as them.
Great podcast easy to listen to I'm 42 from Belfast and grew up on these stories I would enjoy a podcast on Francis Hughes and Dominic MC glinchey if you've never done one another pair of top tier operator's IV also been fascinated by the narowwater operation and the murder of lord Mountbatten
Omg I remember doing that on the payphones tapping the receiver buttons on top to get through it always worked. Thanks this was great 👍
Thanks 🍻
It was not only South Armagh as I was aware of it in Belfast.
I remember the Westmacott Shooting in Belfast and the M60 gang. I'm related to one of the guys who got away to the states.
Loving this story because I remember it all.
Brendan Hughes, tellls some laugh out loud tales about his escapes. ( not the Dark).
I forget the British secretary of state name. But it must have been 1969 or early 1970s when he stood up in Westminster and declared that they were at WAR with the I.R.A
Steak knife was the worst agent.
For the 0 in a phone number we would tap it 10 times
The therm starved themselves to death is a British insult your podcast should better greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another
Just remember the Guildford four their only crime was being Irish and British citizens.
I was in rehab with Johnny adair boys they got kicked out of the North he was leader of the u.f.f je lovrs in Scotland now