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.
Seán Duignan reports from Belfast where at a press conference General Officer Commanding Lieutenant Ian Freeland warned that the honeymoon period for the British army's arrival was coming to an end. Freeland speculates about how long the troops will stay and feels that it is better to leave them there a little bit longer than to take them away too quickly.
Freeland also discusses the role of the B-Specials and clarifies that they are under the control of the police and not the army.
Duignan asks under what circumstances would the troops have to use their weapons. Freeland says that anyone can read the detailed order on the use of firearms. Firearms are only to be used in "the most extreme circumstances" and only if troops are physically attacked with firearms will they reply. He further states that in an extreme riot situation where there was no alternative, one round may be fired at one person in order to halt the menace.
Freeman also talks about the Stormont building which is protected by police, and the levels of army cooperation with police and the B-Specials.
Title: |
General Freeland |
Clip Duration: |
00:06:10 |
Material Type: |
Audio |
Clip Title: |
"Honeymoon Period for Use of Troops Can Be Very Short Lived" |
Series Title: |
RTÉ News |
Information: |
A RTÉ News report on the role of the British army troops in Northern Ireland broadcast on 18 August 1969. The accompanying image shows British Troops in Ardoyne on17 August 1969 and is taken from RTÉ News footage of that day. |
Local Keywords: |
Northern Ireland 1969, August 1969, General Ian Freeland, Seán Duignan, Belfast, Press Conference, British Troops, B-Specials, Stormont, British Army |
Coverage: |
Ireland, Belfast |
Topic: |
Wars and Conflict |
Contributor(s): |
Seán Duignan (Reporter) |
Publisher: |
RTÉ |
First Broadcast Channel: |
RTÉ |
Broadcast Date: |
18/08/1969 |
Production Year: |
1969 |
Country of Production: |
Ireland |
Original Identifier: |
QNX000231 |
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) |
