title: The Gun and Irish Politics: Examining National History in Neil Jordans 'Michael Collins' (Reimagining Ireland)
author:  Raita Merivirta 
description: The Author: Raita Merivirta is writing a doctoral thesis on Indian literature in English at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. She holds an M.A. in English literature and an M.A. in history from the University of Turku, Finland. She was awarded a Licentiate of Philosophy degree in Indian English literature in 2007 and a Licentiate of Philosophy degree in history in 2009, both by the University of Turku. This book is based on her history Licentiate thesis. She has published several articles on Irish cinema and history, as well as on Indian literature in English.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  > Chapter One
  
  Viv pushed her reporter’s notepad deeper into her pocket and stepped through
  the doorway. The only customer sitting at the counter was a man with his hair
  shorn close and a skull tattoo peeking out from his collar. He looked out of
  place opposite the barman in his shirt, tie and bright yellow waistcoat. The
  tattooed man had a dark leather jacket stretched tight across his shoulders.
  It hung loose around him. Is he armed? she thought.
  
  More than a decade had passed since the Good Friday peace agreement and the
  decommissioning of terrorist weapons, but there were still enough illegal
  firearms on the streets of Belfast to equip a small army. Near the counter,
  behind railings, was a raised seating area. Business was slow. No surprise for
  a wet Sunday night in mid-November. A handful of people were drinking around
  two of the tables. They were too far away for her to ascertain if they were
  innocent tourists, or something more sinister. The posh city centre ho