A FORMER RUC officer who controversially represented Ireland in target pistol shooting at the Moscow Olympic Games is to sell his collection of guns. He has also spoken publicly for the first time about the hostility he encountered from fellow police officers in the North who resented his decision to represent “a foreign country”.
Ken Stanford (74) served with the RUC during the Troubles. His pastime was target pistol shooting, a sport at which he excelled. In 1962, he became “British Police Pistol Champion”. In subsequent years he often represented Britain and Northern Ireland at international pistol shooting competitions, including the Commonwealth Games.
In 1980, the Olympic Council of Ireland invited him to join the Ireland team for the Moscow Games. The invitation annoyed the RUC and he was refused the “sports leave”. However, he took his annual leave and went anyway.
He had been tipped to win in the free pistol event but his gun malfunctioned during the first round. The Swiss-made Hämmerli pistol was repaired on the spot and, although he carried on, he ended up placed 25th overall. His score, however, stands as the record for Ireland in this event.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Mr Stanford, whose grandfather was from Gorey, Co Wexford, recalled the “stupid opposition” and “bigotry” of some RUC colleagues who disapproved of him representing “a foreign country” at the Olympics.
One officer even wrote to the chief constable to demand his dismissal “for being in breach of his oath of allegiance to the queen”. When he returned to Belfast, his colleagues showed “no interest”.
Nevertheless, he enjoyed the “very pleasant experience” of the Olympic Games and has fond memories of his Irish team-mates, who included boxer Barry McGuigan.
