Robert Porter, Minister for Home Affairs, answers some of the accusations made against the police and defends the original decision to ban the march.
One of the accusations against the police is that they terrorised the Bogside area. However, Porter argues that the police carried out a very difficult job in a very satisfactory manner and stated "I believe that no more force was used than was necessary".
Bernadette Devlin has accused the police of terrorising the Bogside and has described how the police deliberately tried to run down some pedestrians. Porter says he cannot comment on this incidence as he was unaware of it. Devlin has also called for the disbandment of the B-Specials and says that if this doesn't happen, people will have to form a citizen's army.
Porter goes on to justify the ban on the march. James Kelly, northern editor of Independent newspapers, said that Porter was in conclave with members of the Orange Order before introducing the ban on the march. Porter reacts to this accusation and justifies his actions in the build up to the ban. Porter argues that he was influenced by the advice of the RUC.
Title: |
Minister Believes Police Used Only Necessary Force |
Clip Duration: |
00:05:35 |
Material Type: |
Audio |
Clip Title: |
Minister Porter Defends Decision to Ban March |
Series Title: |
This Week |
Information: |
A report for the 'This Week' programme broadcast 20 April 1969. 'This Week' was a RTÉ Radio production featuring daily news and analysis of the week's top stories, with interviews, comment, opinion and the voices of the newsmakers. 'This Week' was presented by Mike Burns and Sean Duignan. The accompanying image shows Robert Porter, Minister for Home Affairs, and is taken from RTÉ News broadcast on 12 September 1969. |
Local Keywords: |
Northern Ireland 1969, Growing Tension, Robert Porter, Bogside, Bernadette Devlin, B-Specials, Orange Order, RUC, Mike Burns |
Coverage: |
Ireland, Derry |
Topic: |
Wars and Conflict |
Contributor(s): |
Mike Burns (Reporter) |
Publisher: |
RTÉ |
First Broadcast Channel: |
RTÉ |
Broadcast Date: |
20/04/1969 |
Production Year: |
1969 |
Country of Production: |
Ireland |
Original Identifier: |
QNX000340 |
IPR Restrictions: |
Rights Reserved - Free Access |
Rights, Terms and Conditions: |
Copyright RTÉ. This material may not be replicated in any form or manner without the prior express permission of RTÉ. Any form of reproduction in print, television, video, multimedia, web site or other electronic media or any form of dissemination for commercial or non-commercial use must be licensed by the RTÉ Archives. If you wish to licence video or audio clips, still images or text, or would like further guidance please contact us. RTÉ Archives are committed to respecting the copyright of others and have attempted to source and credit the copyright owners of all material used here. RTÉ would like to hear from any copyright owners who are not properly identified here so that the necessary corrections can be made. If you feel your copyright has not been respected please contact us. |
Item Type: |
part/extract |
Sound: |
Mono |
Language: |
English (eng) |
