Internment Flashcards
What is internment?
The arrest and detention without trial of those suspected of working for the destruction of the state
When did Brian Faulkner introduce internment?
9th August 1971
Which law gave the government the power to introduce internment?
The Special Powers Act
What was the internment operation codenamed?
Operation Demetrius
Why did Brian Faulkner introduce internment?
- He was under pressure for tough action to be taken
- Internment had been successfully used before by both Northern Ireland and Éire
- It would provide the opportunity to find IRA weapons
- Violence was at an all-time high
How many people were interned at first?
452
Why did internment fail so badly?
- It relied on outdated information about members of the OIRA
- All those targeted for internment were nationalists or civil rights supporters despite the high levels of loyalist violence - the first loyalists were only interned in February 1973
- Brian Faulkner admitted the PIRA members had “escaped the net”
How did unionists react to the introduction of internment?
They were satisfied with the introduction of interment at first but support began to decline when it did not lead to a drop in the levels of violence
How did nationalists react to the introduction of internment?
- Politicians from the SDLP, Nationalist and Republican Labour Parties urged their supporters to show their opposition to internment by refusing to pay the rates or the rent
- These politicians also stopped attending council meetings
- PIRA membership increased
How did NICRA react to the introduction of internment?
Seeing this as an abuse of civil rights, they began holding protest marches. One march in January 1972 close to an internment camp at Magilligan in County Londonderry was responded to by the army with tear gas and batons.
When and where did NICRA arrange a second anti-internment march?
30th January 1972 in Derry/Londonderry
What happened after the anti-internment march in Derry/Londonderry?
Rioting began in the Bogside area of Derry/Londonderry; the Parachute Regiment moved in and opened fire killing 13 men and wounding another 13, one of these later died from his injuries.
What was the shooting by the Parachute Regiment later known as?
Bloody Sunday
What was the nationalist response to Bloody Sunday?
- There were immediate outpourings of anger and grief
- PIRA membership grew, especially in Derry/Londonderry
- The British embassy in Dublin was burned by a crowd of protesters
What was the unionist response to Bloody Sunday?
- While they regretted the number of deaths in Derry/Londonderry, they said that the civil rights march was illegal and should not have taken place at all
- They continued to support the government and the army
- in February 1972 a new unionist political group called Ulster Vanguard was set up and led by former Minister William Craig – one of their meetings in Ormeau Park attracted 70,000 people
Who was the inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday headed by?
Lord Widgery
What were the results of the inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday?
Widgery concluded that the army had not been to blame for what had happened, but stated that their actions bordered on the reckless. He also established that none of those who died had been carrying a weapon when shot.
