Throughout 1969, tension increased across the sectarian and political divides.
Marches and demonstrations often ended in violent clashes. Explosions at power and water plants led to British troops guarding key installations. The IRA was originally held responsible, but it later emerged that these acts were carried out by Loyalist extremists.
Although violence took place throughout Ulster, it was Derry that became the flash point on a number of occasions. Nights of rioting in April and again in July were only a taste of what was to come in August 1969. These months would also see the first deaths of the Troubles. The following RTÉ reports give a sense of how Northern Ireland was slipping into violent conflict.
The accompanying photograph shows a general view of the Bogside in Derry on 7 May 1969.
An Easter 1916 commemoration parade defies a police order not to display the tricolour over the last 400 yards of the route in Derry city centre.
Production Year
1969
GROWING TENSION
Water and Electricity Supplies Attacked
News headlines from the 'This Week' radio programme give an indication of increased tension in Northern Ireland
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Charles Mitchell (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Reactions to Night of Violence in Derry
John Hume and Ivan Cooper, discuss what they think started the violence and the need to politically address the grievances of those demonstrating.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Mike Burns (Reporter)
Reg Cullen (Reporter)
Don McManus (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Derry After Night of Rioting
Police and protesters are still on the streets in the Bogside area after a night of rioting in Derry.
Production Year
1969
GROWING TENSION
Accusations and Denials
Bernadette Devlin, Ivan Cooper and residents of the Bogside complain to RTÉ about the behaviour of the RUC the previous night.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Reg Cullen (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Minister Porter Defends Decision to Ban March
Robert Porter, Minister for Home Affairs, answers some of the accusations made against the police and defends the original decision to ban the march.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Mike Burns (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Derry Demonstrations Continue
On the Monday following a weekend of riots, appeals to keep off the streets are not being heeded.
Production Year
1969
GROWING TENSION
Who Are The Saboteurs?
Explosions at the Silent Valley reservoir and at another pipe link crossing the Clady river, threaten the water supply to Belfast.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Seán Duignan (Reporter)
Ronnie Turner (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Belfast Water Supply Reduced
More than half the houses in Belfast are without water as a result of an explosion at a water supply area.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Don McManus (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Bomb at Saintfield Church
Seán Duignan reports on a bomb left at a church in Saintfield, Belfast. The parish priest defused it by cutting a wire connected to the device.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Seán Duignan (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Civil Rights Movement Faces Dilemma
Plans for future civil rights demonstrations are being planned throughout Northern Ireland this afternoon. With demonstrations deteriorating into violent clashes, the civil rights movement is faced with the dilemma of whether or not to continue this form of protest.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Barry Linnane (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Rioting in Derry
A RTÉ News report on a clash between police and youths in Derry
Production Year
1969
GROWING TENSION
"We Turn Reluctantly To The North And The Sound Once Again Of Violence"
On the weekend of the 12 July commemorations, hundreds of youths in Derry clash with the police.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Liam Hourican (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Aftermath of Rioting in Derry
Donal Kelly reports on the scenes of destruction in Derry after the rioting of the previous night.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Donal Kelly (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Death of Frances McCloskey in Dungiven
Eddie Barrett reports from Dungiven, Co. Derry, where elderly farmer Francis McCloskey was struck by RUC batons in a mêlée near the Orange Hall. He died 24 hours later in hospital.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Eddie Barrett (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Sectarian Tensions Heighten in Derry
Twelve people, including one policeman, were injured in last night’s disturbances. Donal Kelly reports on sectarian taunting by Catholic youths in the Bogside.
Production Year
1969
Contributor
Donal Kelly (Reporter)
Liam Hourican (Reporter)
GROWING TENSION
Funeral of Samuel Devenney
Samuel Devenney had been beaten by police officers at his home in William Street, Derry on 19 April 1969. He died from his injuries on 17 July and his funeral was covered by journalists from around the world.
