November 1979: Severe mental and physical damage
November 1979 saw Ronald Reagan announce his candidacy for US President in NYC. In Northern Ireland, we also had some political manoeuvres…
Political Developments in November 1979
November began with the Irish security forces seizing a quantity of arms at Dublin docks, which were believed to have originated in the United States and bound for the IRA. The shipment totalled 156 weapons, including an M-60 machine gun, and was worth an estimated £500,000. Irish Prime Minister Jack Lynch stated that he believed that the conflict in Northern Ireland continued to be "as intractable as at any stage in the last ten years".
On the 3rd, the SDLP held its annual conference. The party rejected calls for talks with the IRA. The party also called for a joint approach by the British and Irish governments in finding a solution to the problems in Northern Ireland.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Humphrey Atkins published a consultative document in the form of a White Paper called The Government of Northern Ireland: A Working Paper for a Conference on the 20th. The stated aim of the conference talks was to achieve "the highest level of agreement ... which will best meet the immediate needs of Northern Ireland". The White Paper, however, ruled out discussion on several possible 'solutions' to the conflict, namely, a United Ireland, confederation, or independence for Northern Ireland. The paper also excludes discussion on the constitutional status of the region. The paper states that 'direct rule' from Westminster is not a satisfactory basis for the government of Northern Ireland. UUP leader James Molyneaux rejected the invitation to talks. The fact that an 'Irish dimension' had been ruled out of the talks caused a split in the response of the SDLP to the invitation. Atkins was later to allow parallel talks, which allowed the SDLP to raise the question of an Irish dimension in any solution.
Two days later, a split developed within the SDLP as to its approach to Humphrey Atkin's invitation to attend a conference on the future of Northern Ireland. SDLP leader Gerry Fitt wanted to attend the conference even without an Irish dimension being on the agenda. Others, including deputy leader John Hume, did not want to attend unless an Irish dimension was to be discussed. As a result of this dispute, Fitt resigned as leader of the SDLP. Atkins was later to allow parallel talks, which allowed the SDLP to attend and raise the question of an Irish dimension in any potential solution.
On the 27th, Michael Canavan of the SDLP sent a letter to the Secretary of State raising concerns about the treatment of prisoners protesting in the H Blocks.
Dear Sir,
Following a recent visit by Dr J. Hendron, Dr R. McLean and myself to a protesting prisoner in the H Blocks, we wish to express grave concern about matters which adversely affect the daily lives of these prisoners and constitute a very serious erosion of internationally accepted standards of prisoners’ rights.
These include;
Such prisoners for whatever reason do not enjoy facilities for daily mental or physical recreation.
They have no association with one another except at Sunday religious service.
Taken either together or separately, such deprivation over a protracted period of time is bound to result in severe mental and physical damage in the long term. In the short term, these circumstances must seriously disturb the prisoners concerned. The resultant tension must make prison life much more difficult for both prisoners and staff.
The refusal to wear prison clothes or to do prison work may be in breach of discipline, but the resultant situation, including as it does the loss of remission on sentences, is massively out of all proportion. Surely, the deprivations mentioned above were never intended to be appropriate subject matter for either privileges or punishment but are basic human rights, particularly of persons in prison.
Were prisoners allowed to wear their own clothing or other clothing appropriate to recreational activities, many of these problems would either disappear or be greatly mitigated.
Where prison populations are concerned, we believe that authority has the responsibility for making the first move to break the deadlock and for relieving the present difficult and painful situation. A positive response to such a move would be clearly/ bee seen to be necessary to ameliorate the suffering.
In addition, to the matters mentioned above it is alleged that the humiliating mirror searches take place on occasions internal to Prison life eg. on cell changes and at times of religious services which appears unnecessary.
It is also alleged that the lighting in some of the H Block cells is faulty and needs repair or replacement.
Hoping to hear from you as a matter of urgency,
Yours faithfully,
Michael Canavan.
Politically, November finished with John Hume succeeding Gerry Fitt as leader of the SDLP.
Shootings in November 1979
November 5th.
Prison Officer Thomas Gilhooley (25) was shot dead by the IRA outside the Crumlin Road Prison in Belfast.
November 7th.
The INLA shot dead Northern Ireland Prison Service employee David Teeney (25) at a bus stop shortly after leaving Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast.
November 8th.
The UDA shot dead Catholic civilians Marius O’Neill (23) and Paul McCrory (22) as they were walking along Thompson Street in the Short Strand area of Belfast.
Protestant civilian Edward McMaster (57) was shot dead by Republican paramilitaries at his workplace in the Short Strand, Belfast.
November 13th.
A British Beaver reconnaissance aircraft was hit six times by an IRA unit, which had mounted a roadblock in South Armagh.
November 23rd.
Prison Officer Gerald Melville (45) was shot dead by the IRA while at his home in Glengormley, County Antrim.
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Bombings in November 1979
November 13th.
British soldier Paul Fryer (18) was killed in an IRA booby-trap bomb attack.
Thanks very much for reading. I hope you found it interesting and will come back on Thursday!
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I’ve also recently released Tales of The Troubles: Volume 1. The Early Years - 1960s. Check it out. It would be a great addition to your library or a gift for someone for Christmas. Stay tuned for Volume 2, covering the 1970s.
If you’d like to let me know what you think of today’s instalment, please comment below.
Some recommended reading based on research for this instalment.
Lost Lives: The Stories of the Men, Women and Children Who Died as a Result of the Northern Ireland Troubles by David McKittrick, Chris Thornton, Seamus Kelters and Brian Feeney.
