“WHAT ARE YOU doing? Why are you here?” The solider asks. “I’m keeping an eye on the children getting to and from school” I replied. The soldier blinks in disbelief. “Do children not go to school in Ireland?”. “Of course they do” I replied, “But not in the presence of an army. Not in the presence of tear-gas, rifles and jeeps”.

“Ah”. A smile crept across his face as he looked down, shaking his head. “So you’re watching me”.