UNIT 5- Internment Flashcards
By definition, what is internment?
The arrest and detention without trial of those suspected of working against the state.
What was the internment operation’s code name?
Operation Demetrius
Which date was Operation Demetrius introduced?
9th August 1971
What was Operation Demetrius the code name for?
Internment
Why was internment introduced during 1971?
-Violence levels increased at the end of 1970 and the start of 1971. By ‘marching season’ in the summer of 1971 they were at an all time high. Prime Minister, Brian Faulkner, was unable to reduce levels of violence from paramilitary groups & sectarian hostility.
-Strong unionist pressure to take firm actions.
-Had been a previously successful tactic against the IRA to find members & weapons.
-Increased IRA membership from events like the Falls Road Curfew of July 1970.
-Few IRA members had been convicted of bombings.
-Covered under the Special Powers Act.
What were the Nationalist attitudes towards internment?
-Nationalists saw internment as an abuse of their civil rights. The police held the power to arrest, interrogate and detain mere suspects without trial.
-Since the army helped to carry out internment, its reputation with Nationalists suffered again.
-Nationalists were angry at the biased nature of internment. It was entirely directed against Nationalists & civil rights protesters until February 1973, when the first loyalist was interned.
-Nationalists were angry that so many innocent people were interned. Of the 452 arrested originally, not one was a leading member of the IRA.
-Nationalists resented the mistreatment, including beatings, of internees.
What were the actions of Nationalists in response to the introduction of internment?
-There was a huge increase in violence. In the first 4 months, 143 people were killed through bombs and shootings. This was 5 times as many as the previous 8 months of the year. A large part was from the IRA.
-IRA support and recruitment grew.
-The SDLP organised a ‘Rent and Rates’ strike against the government.
-Nationalist politicians, including the SDLP, withdrew from Stormont and local councils in protest.
-Civil rights marches were organised against internment but the army’s response also seemed to be hardening. One of these took place at Magilligan Internment Camp on 22 January 1972 where there were clashes between the army & civil rights protesters.
-A civil rights march in Derry on January 30th 1972. This came to be known as Bloody Sunday which was itself a result of an anti-internment march. In response, troops from the Parachute Regiment were ordered into the Bogside and p, claiming they were fired on, shot 13 men dead. Thirteen more were injured, one of whom subsequently died of his wounds.
What were the attitudes of unionists to the introduction of internment?
-Happy as they saw it as a necessary way to deal with the IRA threat.
-However support for internment droppped when they saw it was not succeeding in catching the IRA leadership.
What were what were the actions of Unionists in response to the introduction of internment?
-Most unionists welcomed the introduction of internment as necessary to deal with the growing IRA threat.
-Loyalist violence increased in response to the increase in the IRA violence. The UDA was formed in September 1971. The UDA bombed McGurk’s bar by Belfast in December. 15 people were killed.
-Prime Minister Brian Faulkner conceded that internment had been unsuccessful in stopping the PIRA. He said many of most wanted “escaped the net”. However, he was convinced it had been helpful in locating IRA weapons.
What were the consequences of internment?
-Violence continued, leaving many people from both sides to be dead or homeless.
-Nationalists MPs withdrew from local councils & Stormont.
-The increase in violence, from factors such as increased IRA membership, lead to 143 people being killed during the first 4 months of internment. Which was 5 times as many as from the previous 8 months that year.
-A protest held at Magilligan Internment Camp on 22nd January 1972 was met with baton charges and CS gas from the army.
-SDLP called for a ‘Rent & Rates’ strike against the government.
-NICRA organised several marches & protests.
-Increase in violence lead to creation of UDA in September 1971 who bombed McGurk’s Bar in December 4th 1971 where 15 were killed.
-A civil rights march on January 30th 1972 lead to a riot later called Bloody Sunday. This was when the Parachute Regiment were ordered into the Bogside & shot 13 men dead, 13 were injured and one died as a result of his wounds.
Who called for the ‘Rents and Rates’ strike?
The SDLP
What was the name of the strike which the SDLP called for?
A ‘Rent and Rates’ strike
When was a protest held at Magilligan Internment Camp?
22nd January 1972
Where was the 22nd January 1972 protest held?
Magilligan Internment Camp
What was used against protesters at the Magilligan Internment Camp protest?
Baton charges and CS gas
At the start of internment, none of the _____ men interned were leaders of the _____?
452, IRA
After __ months of internment, ___ people had been killed. This was _ times more than the last _ months in the year.
4, 143, 5, 8
When was Bloody Sunday?
30th January 1972
What took place on January 30th 1972?
Bloody Sunday
What were the casualties of Bloody Sunday?
The Parachute Regiment shot 13 men dead, 13 were injured & one of whom died of his injuries.
What were the nationalist responses to Bloody Sunday?
-Nationalist hostility to the state was increased, as symbolised by the burning down of the British Embassy in Dublin.
-There were immediate expressions of grief and anger from nationalists, who demanded an inquiry into the events.
-This inquiry- the Widgery Inquiry- failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion and nationalists were disappointed, though it did establish that none of the victims were carrying weapons when found.
-A second tribunal was established in January 1998 to investigate the events of that day.
-Nationalists claimed that the victims were totally innocent and that the paratroopers carried out an unprovoked attack.
-Widespread rioting took place in nationalist towns.
-IRA violence increased & support and recruitment rose especially in Derry.
What were the Unionist responses to Bloody Sunday?
-There was continued support for the government from the unionist community.
-Some unionists expressed regret over the casualties but regarded the march as both illegal and provocative.
-Unionists claimed that the incident was the fault of the civil rights marchers.
-A feeling that the victims were not totally innocent as the natch was illegal & the Parachute Regiment was provoked.
-Resulting IRA violence led to the formation of the Ulster Vanguard in February 1972, led by William Craig, former Home Affairs Minister. It served as a co-ordinating body for traditional loyalist groups. It organised a huge demonstration in Belfast’s Ormeau Park, attracting 70 000 people and was a powerful symbol of unionist discontent.
What were the results of Bloody Sunday?
-Tensions intensified
-Ulster Vanguard formed in February 1972, headed by William Craig who was the former Home Affairs Minister. One of their meeting attracted 70 000 people.
-Failing Widgery Inquiry
-January 1998 second tribunal.
-IRA recruitment rose
-Violence increased on both sides.
-GB faced international criticism
-Westminster government was angered by Stormont’s lack of control which lead to direct rule.
What symbolised hostility to the Northern Ireland state from Nationalists, particularly after Bloody Sunday?
Burning down of the British Embassy in Dublin
Which inquiry failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion for Nationalists after Bloody Sunday, what did it discover?
The Widgery Inquiry which failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion but determined none of the victims were carrying weapons when found.
When was the second tribunal after Bloody Sunday?
January 1998
When was the second tribunal after Bloody Sunday?
January 1998
When was the Ulster Vanguard formed?
February 1972
Who was in charge of the Ulster Vanguard?
William Craig, former Home Affairs Minister
Which group, headed by William Craig, was formed in February 1972?
Ulster Vanguard
What proved the popularity of the Ulster Vanguard?
One of their meetings had 70 000 attendants.
