Extract from the Novel Killing for free Royal Ulster Constabulary Northern Ireland Due for release October 2011
Alternative story on the conflict in Ulster or is it?
On writing this book I have come to the conclusion that the war in Ireland was nothing more than a total waste of human life mixed with suffering on a scale that is felt still today by those who endured almost forty years of conflict. I have also come to realize that many people are still fighting this war albeit in their heads. Nick James I suspect is one such person. Although he presents himself to those who know him, as a man of peace, I strongly suspect that he hasn't fully let go of the baggage he carries around in the form of hurt and the painful memories of the things he has seen and been involved in.
My first contact with him was by pure chance, and a case of being thrown together in a legal capacity myself being a Belfast solicitor acting for him in a criminal case through the courts. The criminal action being brought against him by the Public Prosecution Service, only highlighted my later view of a man that had so much contempt for the judicial system that my own views were tainted about a system which I was to later find, totally vindicated Nick in his assessment that all things to do with Policing and justice in Northern Ireland were corrupt even at the highest level.
The criminal case was one of common assault against his then thirteen year old son who had been caught by the Police in a public order situation in Belfast. Nick had arrived at the scene and after being told that his son was involved in a civil disturbance had duly give him a clip around the ear in front of the Police who had attended the scene. Police subsequently charged him with assault, a charge which Nick being from the old school Policing way of thinking found disgusting, as did many in the area where the incident took place. The new service the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) had become a real pain for Nick even before this, as he perceived their very existence as a sop to former IRA Terrorists whom he now had to watch govern his country. As I have talked to Nick over a long period of time, maybe eighteen months or so, I have seen for myself his total commitment to the return of the former Policing service the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) maybe not in name, but a return to the old ways of Policing to which he is completely convinced is the one and only way of Policing this still very divided community. He is convinced that this service the PSNI, will not stand the test of time, and will be eventually replaced in the very near future.
On listening to Nick and getting to know him now not just as his legal advisor but also as a friend I find it hard to take in the life he has led from a very young age. Now at fifty three years of age his story is a fascinating one. Right from his current status as a Close Protection agent running his own company of bodyguards, all the way back to his days in the RUC as a young constable.
Nick joined the RUC at the very height of the so called troubles in Northern Ireland at the age of just nineteen. The year was 1976 and sectarian killings and bombings were happening on a daily basis. His first involvement was as a Part time reservist, and his day job was driving a lorry throughout Northern Ireland doing deliveries to many towns and villages with hardware goods for a Belfast based company.
It was during this time that Nick was to become embroiled in a world of intrigue and undercover work with the shadowy forces of the RUC special branch. They quickly seized upon the opportunity to use him in his daily routine as a lorry driver, to become friendly with some very well-known republican players scattered throughout the six counties of Northern Ireland. During the day Nick would have had daily contact with certain individuals in places like Crossmaglen and the bogside in Londonderry, and they, Special Branch, tasked him to become a well-known figure in his capacity as an ordinary lorry driver going about his normal job. The job was a dangerous one, as his lorry was being constantly stopped by both the British army and illegal road stops being carried out by the provisional IRA in the South Armagh area. His personal firearm a walther PP 9mm was placed in a specially concealed holster under the driver’s seat along with his Police warrant card so as to avoid detection from both the army and the IRA. He made many friends within the nationalist areas including some even in Belfast his own home city. This made the job even more hazardous as he was also doing a Policing role in full uniform at night in the republican stronghold of the Ardoyne area of North Belfast. The chances of being compromised were ever present during this period. Nick’s role was to report back to the branch, any persons in these areas, who were acquaintances of the known IRA membership. Vehicle registration numbers etc were noted and later checked by the branch to ascertain and build a fuller picture of as many republican activists as possible. Nick at no time during this period denied his Protestant background to the people he befriended, which up until then had been a silly mistake by other undercover operatives. Pretending to be a catholic was to prove a difficult thing to do by many agents trying to infiltrate the republican movement. The Catholic or nationalist community were a very tight group of people, and to learn their ways was an impossibility. The best option was to be just what you were and play the role.
Nick stayed as a reservist for just over a year, and in 1977 applied to become a full time officer. After selection his initial training was done at the RUC Training academy known as the depot in Enniskillen. Nick was eventually based then in west Belfast another notorious hotbed for republican activities. This was the RUCs Bravo Division which bordered Nick’s native homeland on the Shankill Road. Nick became a popular figure with his fellow officers, but one thing as I talked to him was very apparent. His absence for following protocol, rules, and orders from senior officers. On more than one occasion he was up in front of his superiors for disobeying direct commands. Nick appeared and still does appear to be a total maverick when it comes to taking instructions and orders from others. I do strongly believe that is was this disregard for following the party line, that led him to come to the attention of people standing in the wings with a hidden agenda in the wider theatre of operations in Northern Ireland.
On the 27th August 1979 eighteen British army Paratroopers from A coy 2nd Battalion, were killed at narrow water castle warrenpoint when the Provisional IRA detonated a 500lb bomb by remote control as they passed in a four ton lorry. Earlier that same day, Lord Louis Mountbatten the Queen’s cousin had been killed in a bomb blast in County Sligo Ireland, on his boat shadow 5. These two events were, according to Nick James the turning point in the attitude of the then conservative government headed by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It would also be a turning point that would change the course of events in Northern Ireland forever. Up until then the security situation in Northern Ireland had remained virtually unchanged, with a total stalemate between opposing factions. Nick had been a member of the RUC for almost three years, when he received a message in his pigeon hold at his base in west Belfast. In a plain envelope marked F.A.O Constable James a message said that he was to attend a meeting in east Belfast at an address on the Sandown road at 2am in the morning. It was signed by a Superintendent whose name Nick didn’t recognize. This was on a night duty just after 11pm, and Nick went to speak to the SDO (Station Duty Officer) from the late crew section just about to terminate his duty. Nick enquired had he seen anyone leaving the letter, to which he stated that he hadn’t. Nick found this strange and contacted S Division Headquarters at Knock to see if anyone could confirm the officer’s name. No one could. The letter also stated that he should make an excuse to his duty Sergeant for leaving the station for the meeting at 2am without giving any details of the letter. Nick thought for a while and as he was being detailed for duty in the parade room. He told his sgt that he needed a few hours off later to attend to a personal family matter at home. He agreed and at 1.30am Nick headed off to the address in the letter. As he approached the location, he pondered as to the bizarre nature of the message. As he had learnt from previous experience, his actions were to say the least foolhardy in that here he was responding to a message from an unknown source without backup or leaving any kind of indication to anyone of his true whereabouts, a true testament to the kind of man Nick James is. As he entered the Sandown Road just off the upper Newtownards road in Belfast, an eerie chill went through him. Was this an elaborate set up? If so why would they do it in such a way that just maybe he would arrive with a section of SPG (Special Patrol Group) and take them down. None of this made sense. In any case here he was and nothing was going to satisfy his curiosity until he had seen it through. He parked his car a mark three Cortina a few houses from the address, and headed off on foot. He unclipped his holster and drew his personal weapon. As he approached the house he could see down the driveway to the back garden. Although the house appeared to be in total darkness a dim light could be seen shining unto the rear garden area. This told him that someone may be at the rear living area of the house. He approached the front door cautiously and proceeded to press the eluminated bell on the door. Within a few moments a man appeared dressed in what Nick can only describe as a butler type outfit. He beaconed to Nick without a word with a gesture to enter the house. Nick immediately said no you first chum. To this the man turned and walked inside followed by Nick. As they came to the second door on the left which opened into a large rear family type room. Nick could see a long oak table with three men sitting side by side facing him. One of them spoke to him in an Northern Irish accent. “Holster your weapon constable you’re among friends” Nick responded saying no thanks guys but if you don’t mind keep your fucking hands where I can see them on the table ok. Alright he said have it your way but we are all on the same side I can assure you. Well said Nick let’s start talking then, who are you? To this another male at the table spoke in an English accent and said, I suppose you want to see our credentials then. Well sorry son he said that’s not possible at this time but I can tell you a few things that may convince you that we are indeed on your side. Ok said Nick shoot. A poor choice of words Nick thought to himself. Well Constable I have here your personnel file maybe that might shed some light on this for you. You joined the RUCR (Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve) August 76 am I correct. Go on said Nick. Your now a full time officer currently stationed at RUC Springfield road Brava Delta in A section correct. You were in J Squad at the depot. Ok said Nick now get on with it why am I here. At this Nick made safe his weapon and holstered up. Well constable looking at your record you’re a bit of a handful would I be right in saying that? Go on said Nick. Well you’re not exactly a model officer are you? Take this for instance. May 1977 you illegally discharged your weapon during a riot in North Belfast hitting a person engaged in a riot with Police on the Oldpark road, without due cause and without orders from a senior officer. Nick was a bit gob smacked. He was referring to an incident in which Nicks unit were under attack from Petrol bombers and without any other means of defending themselves namely FRGs (Federal Riot Guns) which fired the standard riot projectile baton round (plastic bullet) Nick had climbed unto a school roof and opened fire with his 9mm sidearm, hitting a rioter in the buttocks. Nick had thought this incident had remained unreported but although he knew an Inspector at the scene suspected him of using his sidearm no one up until now had ever mentioned it. After a few more disciplinary matters had been mentioned, Nick said ok let’s cut to the chase. So you know me and what a bad copper I am. Question guys, why am I here? The first to speak was the male who had initially spoken. Well it’s like this; I suspect you already know the conflict in Ulster isn’t going too well. Yeah said Nick I had noticed. Well for now let’s say you have come to our attention as someone who just might fit into a certain bracket of people who could change all that. In what way said Nick. Well said this guy, for the moment all I can say is that the powers that be have chosen us to select a group of officers from the RUC to form a specialist unit trained to a very high standard who are willing to get the job done and without asking too many questioned. Well said Nick I thought we already had such units the SPG etc. Yes we do that he said, but they operate within certain guidelines and constraints. I am talking about a squad whose brief would be somewhat different. Ok said Nick so what are you saying? Well on the face of it are you interested. Nick thought for a while then spoke. If I say yes what next. That last statement I have found is typical of Nick James. He has the most strangest way of making a decision, which at first glances appears to be bordering on the wreckless and without forethought. This I have found couldn’t be further from the truth. In my personal dealings with him, he has a unique way of assessing a situation always with a plan B if all turns pear shaped. I say this with the utmost respect for someone whom I feel has no limitations or inhibitions in any panic type scenario. No wonder as I write this story have I any reason not to believe, that truly this was an asset that others had obviously seen in him, and the real reason he was chosen to do the kind of job he was tasked to do in the following pages.
