“All hell could break loose” – and that’s what
With the Catholic community still deeply suspicious of the police, Keenan’s family did not report his disappearance, preferring to appeal to “their own people.” DCS Twomey’s fears of an upsurge in sectarian violence were quickly confirmed when a patrol car was bombarded with gasoline. Brannick helped save his fellow officers, smothering the flames and burning the lining of his expensive coat.
Local politicians were soon on the news, criticizing the police for “failing in our community”. Police Chief Twomey used this as an excuse to descend from HQ Belfast and take command, saying the sticky situation had been mismanaged and that as a senior Catholic officer he could regain public trust .
Brannick’s suspicion, however, was that Twomey just wanted to keep an eye on him and prevent him from investigating Goliath. Was there more to Twomey’s fears than diplomacy? Her habit of peeking through Venetian blinds seemed to suggest so.
The Goliath affair was deeply personal to Tom
When McGovern pressured Brannick to be clear about the significance of the postcard, he made his partner aware of Goliath’s dark figure. By early 1998, this admirably impartial assassin had repelled anyone, Protestant or Catholic, who threatened the peace process.
Goliath’s access to police intelligence made it likely to be internal work. It was arranged to make it look like the victims had made a runner and all four had credible reasons for leaving, meaning everyone chose to accept this version of events. Despite Brannick’s best investigative efforts, their bodies have never been found.
These four targets? Protestant Paramilitary Godfather David Corry, IRA Quartermaster Joe Harkin, Arms Merchant Priest, Father Simon Quinlan and (signaling a dramatic pause) Brannick’s wife Emma, a military intelligence officer .
The secretive nature of Emma’s job meant her disappearance was never made official, but it was assumed her blanket had been destroyed and she fell to the ground. In addition, the Goliath files had mysteriously disappeared. Someone didn’t want Brannick to find out the truth.
Police corruption? An integrated conspiracy? A code name in the vein of “H” or “The Caddy”? Bloodlands really shares a lot of TBEN with Line Of Duty.
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