August 1969 - Northern Ireland 1969

August 1969

Rioting on the day of the Apprentice Boys parade in Derry resulted in clashes between residents of the Bogside and the RUC. Barricades were erected and stones and petrol bombs thrown to keep the RUC out of the Bogside. Rioting spread across Northern Ireland with intense violence in Belfast. The Taoiseach Jack Lynch ordered army field hospitals to be set up at the border and in a broadcast announced "...that the Irish government can no longer stand by...." The British Home Secretary James Callaghan agreed to the deployment of British soldiers. Following negotiations between the army and local leaders, it was agreed to pull the RUC and "B" Specials behind the army outside the Bogside. The violence led to more deaths across Northern Ireland.

Riots Follow Apprentice Boys Parade

View here the annual Apprentice Boys parade in Derry, including the wreath-laying at the war memorial and the outbreak of riots that would spread across Northern Ireland. Civil rights leaders attempt to control Catholic youths on the streets.

Derry Riots And Destruction

Here are scenes of rioting taking place night and day in Derry. There are also interviews with Ivan Cooper and Eddie McAteer on the situation following violent clashes between residents of the Bogside and the RUC.

Scenes Of Destruction

Watch more scenes of destruction from Derry: fires, petrol bombers, burned vehicles and buildings reduced to rubble.

An Taoiseach On Situation In North

In a landmark statement broadcast on radio and television, the Taoiseach Jack Lynch asks the British government to request a peace-keeping force from the United Nations. The Taoiseach states that the Northern Ireland government is no longer in control of the situation and that the RUC is not accepted as an impartial police force. He also announces that the Irish Army will set up field hospitals along the border as "it is clear also that the Irish government can no longer stand by and see innocent people injured and perhaps worse."

British Troops Set Up Road Blocks

The British army is filmed setting up barricades in the streets upon its deployment in Derry.

"The British Forces Have Occupied The Place"

Here are some reactions from the streets of Derry to the arrival of British troops. Reporter Sean Duignan is told that the RUC is no longer trusted in the Bogside but that British troops will be given a chance. A woman praises Jack Lynch's broadcast. A man addressing a crowd calls on the residents of the Bogside to act responsibly and announces the arrival of the soldiers.

British Troops For Bogside

Tom McCaughren and Pat Sweeney report on the arrival of British troops in Derry and the reaction of Bernadette Devlin from behind the barricades in the Bogside: "There can be no talking with the British army until we know what they are here for."

Reaction To Arrival Of British Troops

On the streets of Derry, there is confusion as British soldiers take up position. Mike Burns gets the reactions of Eamonn McCann and Eddie McAteer.

Talking To British Troops

Representatives from the Bogside approach a barricade set up by British soldiers and ask to speak to an officer.

Relief As Troops Arrive and RUC Withdraw

RTÉ reporters cover the scenes on the ground at the end of the day that saw the arrival of British soldiers in Derry city.

Political Reaction To Troops Arrival

Martin Wallace sums up political opinion on the arrival of British soldiers on the streets of Northern Ireland: "Outside Stormont, the signs are that recent troubles have divided the North more than at any time within the past thirty years."

Deaths On Night Of Bloody Violence

On a night when six people died across Northern Ireland, one of the victims was a young boy. In the Falls Road area of Belfast, there were vicious clashes between Protestants and Catholics. Barry Linnane records the raw anger of Catholics, who accuse the "B" Specials of leading Protestant rioters. Kevin Healy reports on shootings in Divis Street, where one of those killed was nine-year-old Patrick Rooney.

Night Of Shame For Belfast

Kevin Healy reports on a night of violence that saw gunfire. Martin Wallace reports on the likelihood of British troops being deployed on the streets of Belfast.

Bombay Street Destroyed In Belfast Attacks

Barry Linnane speaks with residents of Bombay Street, where homes have been burned by Loyalist mobs. Six people are dead after a day of intense violence.

Belfast Burns

British troops take up positions while many buildings continue to burn.

Devlin Calls For Barriers To Remain Manned

"At the moment, the British army is protecting the people here from the 'B' Specials coming in. They can do that best by being out themselves on their own barricades."

Night of Violence In Ardoyne

This RTÉ report shows the damage done to property around Brookfield Street in Belfast and British troops destroying petrol bombs. Barry Linnane talks to a resident of the Ardoyne following violent clashes between Catholics and Protestants.

Catholics Cross Border For Refuge

Catholics fleeing from violence arrive in Dundalk. One man describes coming under fire from snipers while preparing to leave Belfast. A woman from the Ardoyne describes the violence she witnessed. She says that "where there were once homes there is nothing, only spare ground." Neither interviewee wishes to be identified. Area director for the Red Cross, Seamus Murphy, outlines facilities set up in Mullingar.

Chichester-Clark Gives Press Conference

The Northern Ireland Prime Minister is highly critical of the the Irish government's response to the outbreak of violence. He also blames Republican extremists for the disorder in Belfast. "The trouble in Belfast began with firing upon the police at widely scattered locations within a short period of time."

More Troops For Derry

Tom McCaughren reports on the arrival of 300 soldiers of the Queen's Regiment in Derry.

Devlin Rules Out Military Patrols For Bogside

Bernadette Devlin talks to Tom McCaughren on the streets of Derry about the RUC, the British army and the Prime Minister Chichester-Clark.

"Honeymoon Period For Use Of Toops Can Be Very Short Lived"

Following days of increasing violence across Northern Ireland, General Officer Commanding Lieutenant Ian Freeland gives a press conference. He warns that the honeymoon period for the army's arrival is coming to an end.

Funerals Of Victims Of Violence

Two funerals of victims of the violence take place in Belfast. The first is that of Catholic Gerard McCauley, a 15-year-old shot in disturbances and a member of the youth wing of the IRA. The second is that of a 26-year-old Protestant, Herbert Roy, who was also shot in street disturbances.

"The Arrival Of The British Troops Is Only A Temporary Thing"

In a radio interview, John Hume talks about all that has happened in Northern Ireland since the civil rights demonstration of 5 October 1968.

"If We Are Forced To Fight, We Shall Fight"

Aidan Corrigan of the Dungannon Civil Rights Committee justifies a call for British troops to be responsible for law and order in the area. Henry Kelly talks about the refugee centre at the De La Salle school in Belfast. Ronald Bunting sees no reason for the disbandment of the "B" Specials. Reporter Martin Wallace sums up the political position in Northern Ireland after days of violence.

Radio Free Derry

Eamonn McCann on Radio Free Derry broadcasting again.

Faulkner Denies 'B' Specials To Be Disbanded

Following Lt-General Freeland's announcement that the "B" Specials were to be withdrawn from riot duty, Minister of Development, Brian Faulkner, holds a press conference to explain his government's position on the Ulster Special Constabulary. While Westminster was pushing for changes to the 'B' Specials, many within the Unionist Party were opposed to any such moves.

British MPs Visit The Bogside

British Labour MPs visit the Bogside and hear the views of local residents about the recent violence and the high rate of unemployment. Arthur Skeffington asks "how long are you people going to live like you are living, at one another's throats?"

Home Secretary Visits Northern Ireland

James Callaghan, the British Home Secretary, comes to Northern Ireland on a three-day visit. Mr Callaghan is greeted by Major Chichester-Clark. Rodney Rice reports on the Home Secretary's meeting with Protestant church leaders, a visit to a refugee centre in Belfast and to the Shankhill and Falls Roads. Catholics at the refugee centre speak to RTÉ while residents of the Falls and Shankhill make their views known. The following day Mr Callaghan has meetings with Cardinal Conway and Ian Paisley. In Derry, thousands turn out and Mr Callaghan is met by John Hume and Ivan Cooper. Steward Vinny Coyle struggles to create a path through the crowds. Mr Callaghan is forced to take refuge in a house, where he would address the crowd from an upstairs window.