A conditional welcome for the resumption of RUC patrols in the Falls Road area of Belfast.
The first Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) patrol into the Falls area of Belfast since the middle of August 1969 is a joint military police effort. The patrol is led by District Inspector Frank Lagan accompanied by two female RUC officers Constable June Smyth and Sergeant Maud Musselwhite. The one hour patrol proceeds from Hastings Street police station to Springfield Road.
District Inspector Frank Lagan denies a reported 100 RUC men are refusing to return unarmed to the Falls Road area, stating the real number is much lower. Also,
They have not refused to go on patrol, and they will go if ordered.
Just as policemen have returned to patrols in the Bogside, Derry, District Inspector Frank Lagan is confident the RUC officers will go onto the Falls Road in the normal way in the matter of a few days.
Chairperson of the Central Citizens' Defence Committee Jim Sullivan is pleased to see the resumption of RUC patrols. He will not comment on why some RUC officers refuse to patrol the area without firearms but,
The RUC has given me the undertaking that there will be no armed police within this area.
Residents around the Falls Road are happy to see the RUC return as long as they remain unarmed, do not carry out raids, and stick to the patrol route.
We're glad to see them doing ordinary police duties.
A woman is giving the RUC the benefit of the doubt,
We're going to give them a chance and see how they do.
Another adds,
If they come in a peaceful manner, then we'll live with them in a peaceful manner.
A man realises the status quo is fragile and coud easily be broken if one or both sides do not behave as hoped.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 October 1969. The reporter is Ronnie Turner.
