Conroy Theme Of Violence

171 Words1 Pages
One of the important themes highlighted in this book is the use of force and violence in order to achieve a political statement. Government used oppressive means to control everyday lives. In many of these communities, such as Clonard, law and order ceased to exist. The police were largely distrusted. ‘Justice’ dished out by the paramilitaries was often extremely brutal, with victims being most commonly kneecapped. Conroy illustrates how violence was normalized during the troubles: “While punishment shootings seemed barbaric to outsiders, to ghetto residents they were acceptable, and there was little sympathy for those punished.”(92) In December 1971 Reginald Maudling, British Home Secretary, declared that the situation in Northern Ireland