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Documentary on One: Return to the Green Line

DOC Cyprus Killing of Tassos Image Name: DOC Cyprus Killing of Tassos
DOC Cyprus Frank at scene of killing 1 Image Name: DOC Cyprus Frank at scene of killing 1
DOC Cyprus Dherynia Border Crossing 2 Image Name: DOC Cyprus Dherynia Border Crossing 2

It was 1996 and now retired Garda Sergeant Frank Flood was on a year-long United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus. His job was to help police the 180 kilometre-long Buffer Zone, or Green Line as it was called, that has divided the island since the Turkish invasion of 1974.

It was summer and tensions between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides had been rising for some time. Then, on the 11th of August, following a motorcycle rally, Greek Cypriots who had breached the Green Line at small town called Dherynia were met by counter demonstrators from the Turkish Cypriot side.

There were hundreds inside the Buffer Zone when anger exploded into acts of unspeakable violence, violence which was broadcast live on television as it unfolded. As the situation deteriorated, a tall blue-helmeted UN officer and his colleague can be seen trying desperately trying to pull beaten and bloodied victims from the violence. In one instance, two men are being brutally attacked with sticks and iron bars. Frank and a colleague, succeed in rescuing ONE of them, but by the time Frank reaches the second, it is too late.  The man’s name was Tassos Isaak. The UN officer was Frank Flood.

Tassos Isaak’s killing was recorded by news cameras filming those events. So too were Frank’s heroic efforts to try to rescue him.

Tassos Isaak is venerated by many in Cyprus where he seen as a modern-day hero, and a symbol of the Greek Cypriot cause for reunification.

Frank’s deployment ended a few months later and 23 years on he had not been back to Cyprus since. Until a few months ago. 

This is Frank Flood’s return to the Green Line. 

Return To The Green Line is narrated and produced by Christopher McKevitt and produced by Donal O’Herlihy.

 

RTÉ Radio 1 DOCUMENTARY ON ONE: RETURN TO THE GREEN LINE

SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2019 @2PM ON RTE RADIO 1

SUNDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER @7PM ON RTE RADIO 1

Please note the change in time, Documentary on One has moved to 2pm.