February 1977: "I Don't Waffle"
February 1977 saw the revival of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical "My Fair Lady" closed at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, NYC, after 377 performances. In Northern Ireland, the soon-to-be-named ‘Iron Lady’ paid a visit.
Political Developments in February 1977
The IRA members who were arrested at the end of the Balcombe Street siege in London were convicted of six murders. The Balcombe Street siege had begun on the 6th of December 1975.
On the 15th of February, the leader of the unrecognised South African state of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) Ian Smith thanked the Portadown branch of the DUP for its message of support to him.
Conservative Party leader Margaret Thatcher visited Belfast and Derry on the 21st of February.
On the 24th of February, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland released a press release regarding Harland and Wolff.
Harland and Wolff share the problems facing the shipbuilding industry in Great Britain, and measures comparable to those announced today by the Secretary of State for Industry will be required to deal with it.
Government recognises that the company, like its counterparts in Great Britain, may need to be assisted to obtain orders, and the Government has already committed £60m to the support of Harland & Wolff. The Department of Commerce and the company are in close and constant touch on the subject of fresh orders.
To the extent that it is necessary to face contraction of the industry, arrangements comparable to those to be introduced for Great Britain will apply in Northern Ireland.
Likewise, Government will continue to pursue vigorously its efforts to expand employment in Northern Ireland, so that the skills of any who may become redundant are not lost to the Northern Ireland economy.
The company is also exploring, with the active encouragement of Government, all possible opportunities for diversification.
On the 28th of February, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Roy Mason made a speech at a luncheon for representatives of Northern Ireland's weekly newspapers at Stormont House. He addressed the current political landscape.
Within the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to have further talks with a number of the principal political parties in Northern Ireland. I thought it would be useful to review the situation as I see it.
Since I took Office in September of last year I have encouraged local political parties to seek common ground on which devolved government could be built in the Province.
Those of you who know me - and that I think means most of you - know that I don't waffle. I must say to you frankly that I see little sign as yet that the major parties are willing to come together or reach a compromise on the areas of disagreement which exist. I find it regrettable, but it is a fact, that constructive discussion among the political parties appears for the moment to have ground to a halt.
Over the years there has been movement on all sides. I believe that the majority of the people of Northern Ireland would like to see that movement continue. The parties and the people of Northern Ireland wish to see the return of a regional government to the Province.
Perhaps not enough credit has been given for the efforts which have been made by the parties to arrive at some common ground. Certainly, neither of the main groupings gives the other enough credit for concessions or even gestures. The SDLP have shown that they are willing to work within the framework of Northern Ireland as part of the UK. The Unionist groupings have offered a far greater possibility of minority participation than, eg in 1969. And four of the seven main political parties (SDLP, Alliance, UPNI and NI Labour Party) now favour partnership in Government.
Shootings & Stabbings in February 1977
02/02/77 - Managing Director of the American Du Pont factory in Derry Jeffrey Agate (59) was shot dead by members of the IRA outside his home at Talbot Park, Derry. This killing marked the beginning of a series of attacks on businessmen. There were further killings on the 2nd and the 14th of March 1977.
03/02/77 - Joseph Morrissey (52), a Catholic civilian, was found stabbed and with his throat cut on the Glencairn Road, Belfast. Members of the UVF gang known as the 'Shankill Butchers' were responsible for the killing.
05/02/77 - RUC officer Robert Harrison (50) was shot dead by an IRA sniper while on patrol in Gilford, County Down.
12/02/77 - RUC officer Samuel McKane (33) was shot dead by an IRA unit in Cloughmills, County Antrim.
19/02/77 - The UDA shot Catholic civilian Brian Canavan (35) dead at his home on Clifton Crescent, Belfast.
23/02/77 - UDR soldier Peter Hill (43) was shot dead by an IRA unit in the Waterside area of Derry City.
24/02/77 - RUC officer Harold Cobb (38) was shot dead by an IRA unit while manning a security barrier in Lurgan, County Armagh.
25/02/77 - The UVF shot dead Catholic RUC officer Joseph Campbell (49) outside the RUC base in Cushendall. The attack has been linked to the Glenanne Gang.
26/02/77 - Robert Mitchell (68), a Justice of the Peace, was shot dead by the IRA at his home in Newry.
27/02/77 - Ex-British soldier John Lee (35) was shot dead by the IRA outside the Crumlin Star Social Club in the Ardoyne area of Belfast.
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Bombings in February 1977
04/02/77 - The police in England uncovered an IRA 'bomb factory' in Liverpool.
27/02/77 - UVF members James Cordner (23) and Joseph Long (35) were killed when a bomb they were planting exploded prematurely in Exchange Street, Belfast.
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Some recommended reading based on research for this instalment.