In the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s the predominant form of terrorism was Irish in nature. Those who wanted a unitary Irish state fought those who wanted to remain part of the UK, often with tragic results. With the Good Friday Accords of 1998 that is all over – or is it?
Phil Gurski talks with Irish analyst Lorcán Owens on the potential for future violence on the Emerald Isle.
If the ins and outs of terrorism, extremism, national security and public safety are of interest to you, subscribe to receive free content by former Canadian intelligence analyst and author Phil Gurski on these issues.
About my guest Lorcán Owens
Lorcán Owens is a risk analyst, researcher and consultant whose work focuses on geopolitical, intelligence and economic risk in the Middle East, Europe and Ireland.
Lorcán holds an MA in Political Communication from Dublin City University. He conducted field research in Lebanon in the aftermath of the 2018 parliamentary elections, examining the communication strategies of secular political parties within the constraints of the confessional political structure of Lebanese politics. He returned to Lebanon briefly in November 2019, where he conducted research on the early stages of the Lebanese Thawra or uprising.
Lorcán has also worked as a teacher in both the Middle East and Ireland. He hosts and produces a podcast called ‘Nazra – Politics, Society and Extremism’ which focuses on CVE, political upheaval, terrorism and a range of issues in both the Middle East and the wider world.
About the host Phil Gurski
Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specializing in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation.
From 1983 to 2001 he was employed as a senior multilingual analyst at Communications Security Establishment (CSE – Canada’s signals intelligence agency), specialising in the Middle East.
The Peaceable Kingdom?
A history of terrorism in Canada from Confederation to the Present
While Canada has not been menaced by terrorism like some countries it is not immune. A new book on terrorism in that land over the past 150 years – The Peaceable Kingdom: A history of terrorism in Canada from Confederation to the present – is now out!
Listen to more episodes:
Is diaspora media in Canada at risk of furthering foreign interference?
While diasporas benefit from access to media in their native language these vehicles can be exploited by foreign states to manipulate opinion.
More foreign interference in Canada: the Iranian diaspora experience
Iran has engaged in nastiness for decades, including support for terrorist groups. What kind of influence does it exert on expats…
What to do with the children of violent extremists?
What should we do with the children of violent extremists: should they be taken from their parents?
One reply on “Lorcán Owens – Is a return to ‘The Troubles’ in Ireland in the cards?”
I have just had an outrageous encounter with Lorcan Owens when he attempted to mock and belittle me about the fact that I was a survivor of terrorism. He makes some outrageous claims , none of it based on any kind of fact.
I am a survivor of terrorism . My father and sister were murdered by the UVF. I was also seriously injured. I have screen shot all his messages I have just had an encounter with poor Lorcan and he spent the last 2 hours or so trying to mock and and make fun of the fact that I am a survivor of the troubles. This guy is a complete charlatan. He portrays himself as a Geopolitical Analyst which is hilarious. He knows absolutely nothing about The Troubles .
He claimed to have emailed my employers which goes to show you what type of person you are dealing with because he most certainly doesnt like being challenged .
Anyone taking this guy in any way seriously needs to seriously think again given the encounter I have just had with him. Anyone considering given him any kind of employment needs to quite simply not do it.