Ray Lane is a veteran bomb disposal expert from Dublin. His career began by working to defuse IRA bombs and trying to outsmart and track down the bombers, some of whom he got to know personally. When the NATO forces in Afghanistan were facing a daily onslaught of Taliban bombs, it was Ray who they sent for, as his experience from Ireland gave him an insight unlike anyone else. He also worked as a diplomat in Bosnia during the civil war there, and witnessed horrific acts committed by people against their own neighbours. The horrors of that war left a deep, permanent mark on him and he would later go on testify about what he saw in war crimes trials. Ray has led an incredible life and he spoke to us about all of it, including why he loved his work and what it takes to be the person who walks towards a 1000kg bomb - and why Hollywood movies can never truly show the craft of defusing a bomb.

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