Violence in Derry following the arrest of Bernadette Devlin.
Bernadette Devlin was sentenced to six months in prison for her part in the Bogside riots in 1969. She was refused an appeal against a six month jail sentence and was arrested.
You can jail Bernadette Devlin. You can put her behind bars but I'll be damned you'll never silence the ordinary people.
The 23 year old Mid Ulster MP was due to address a meeting at the Bogside before handing herself into the police. Bernadette Devlin never made it to the meeting as she was arrested three miles outside the city. Eamon McCann was among those who had gathered to express support for Bernadette Devlin. Many of her supporters stated that they were equally guilty for defending the Bogside. One woman said,
She didn't do any more than what I did.
Before the meeting dispersed, stones were thrown at British soldiers and the violence escalated. This was the start of three days of violence in Derry.
This episode of 'Seven Days' was broadcast on 30 June 1970. The reporter is Bill O'Herlihy.
