They Were “Agents of the State” — But Human Beings in Fact

THE RECORD AND THE REPUBLIC

Former Parachute Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Barry discusses the Republic's role during the troubles, cross-border security, the legacy process, and the concept of selective forgetting. The conversation delves into the challenges of extradition, the impact of political reality on the peace process, the role of Jonathan Powell, the changing political language, and the process as a form of punishment. It concludes with a reflection on the possibility of an honest legacy without a clear understanding of the Republic's role. Takeaways * Republic's role during the troubles * Cross-border security * Legacy process * Selective forgetting Chapters * 00:00 The Republic's Role During the Troubles * 08:09 Extradition Difficulties and Operations * 13:13 Political Reality and Peace Process * 19:33 Jonathan Powell's Role and Political Language * 28:17 Changing Language and Political Legitimacy

They Were “Agents of the State” — But Human Beings in Fact

What happens when politicians acknowledge the impossible pressures faced by soldiers and police officers in split-second situations — while supporting legacy processes that veterans believe ignore that reality altogether? In this episode of the Justice for Veterans Podcast, Lt Col Simon Barry discusses the growing contradictions at the heart of the Northern Ireland legacy debate. The conversation explores: • Why the phrase “agents of the state” risks dehumanising those who served • The widening gap between political decision-makers and those sent to carry out policy on the ground • The impact of legacy investigations on veterans, families and communities • Why younger generations of veterans are beginning to pay attention • The implications for future military operations and morale • The changing political atmosphere around the Legacy Act and current legislation • The role of Westminster, Dublin and Sinn Féin in shaping the debate • Why many veterans now believe the issue extends far beyond Northern Ireland This is a conversation about responsibility, memory, lawfare, political language and the human realities often lost beneath abstraction. Listen, subscribe and share. www.justiceforveterans.uk [http://www.justiceforveterans.uk]

Veterans Granted Ear at No.10 as Troubles Legislation Moves Forward

A small delegation of senior veterans, led by former Parachute Regiment Major-General Dair Farrar-Hockley, met officials at No.10 just days after the Government voted to carry its Troubles legislation into the next parliamentary session. In this episode of One More Mission, those present speak candidly in the immediate aftermath. The meeting itself was described as cordial, with officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Northern Ireland Office, and Downing Street in attendance. While bound by confidentiality, the delegation makes clear that their concerns were heard—and, in some cases, recognised. But the underlying message is harder-edged. With around 1,200 unresolved deaths linked to Operation Banner, serious questions are raised about whether the Government’s stated aim of delivering “justice, information and answers for all” is achievable in practice—or whether the process risks becoming the punishment. Alongside this, the episode explores: * WHY veterans believe the current approach repeats past failures * HOW legal processes are being experienced by those who served * WHAT is driving renewed coordination across veterans’ groups * WHETHER political pressure could yet shift the direction of the legislation Featuring additional insight from Paul Young, this is a grounded, first-hand account from those directly involved—recorded at a moment when the issue is moving back to the centre of political and public debate. This is not history. It is ongoing. Subscribe for more episodes of One More Mission.

The vote passed. The argument didn’t.

Former Parachute Regiment officer Lt Col Simon Barry joins One More Mission to break down what the passage of the Troubles Bill really means—and why the political ground may be shifting beneath it. The Government pushed the Bill through Parliament. But the reduced majority, notable absences, and growing pressure from veterans at constituency level tell a different story. This episode covers: * Why the vote result may mask a deeper political problem * The rise in veteran engagement with MPs and local communities * The gap between “law” and “justice” in legacy cases * Questions over the Government’s strategy and motivations * The role of the Republic of Ireland and wider political alignment * What the proposed amendments do—and do not—change * Why momentum among veterans is now building This is not just about Northern Ireland. It is about how a country treats those it sent to fight—and what happens when that contract begins to fray. The discussion is direct, grounded in experience, and focused on what comes next. Watch, listen, and decide. #JusticeForVeterans #TroublesBill #OperationBanner #Veterans #Lawfare #NorthernIreland #UKPolitics #OneMoreMission

Drawing a Line or Reopening the Past?

In this episode of the Justice for Veterans – One More Mission podcast, former Parachute Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Simon Barry sets out, in plain terms, what the current legacy proposals mean for those who served in Northern Ireland. The central point is clear: the new approach does not resolve the past—it risks reopening it. Barry explains how the 2023 Legacy Act attempted to draw a line, however imperfectly, while the current direction moves back toward repeated investigations, reopened inquests, and prolonged legal uncertainty. The result, he argues, is a system where the process itself becomes the punishment. This is not about calls for immunity. The discussion focuses on practical safeguards: * No repeat investigations without new evidence * Sensible time limits * Clear distinction between terrorists and lawful state actors * A system that is balanced, rather than one-sided The episode also addresses a growing concern among veterans: that legal and personal risk is being pushed down the chain of command onto junior ranks and frontline personnel, while those at the level of decision-making remain largely untouched. There are signs that public understanding is shifting, but the message still needs to move beyond veteran circles and into wider national awareness. If nothing changes, the likely outcome is continued litigation, prolonged uncertainty, and no meaningful closure. This is a measured, direct conversation about fairness, accountability, and how the state treats those it sent to act. For more information visit: justiceforveterans.uk [www.justiceforveterans.uk]