Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation

Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation The Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation promotes mutual understanding and reconciliation in Ireland through the professional study of history.

𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 1971 Thirty two leading Catholic local government figures in Derry announced t...
21/08/2026

𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 1971 Thirty two leading Catholic local government figures in Derry announced that they were resigning their city positions immediately.

They said their decision was a protest against internment, the “reign of repression in the city” and the treatment of MPs John Hume and Ivan Cooper when they were charged with failing to move on the command of HM forces.

Among those resigning were the three local members of the Derry Development Commission, including vice-chairman Stephen McGonagle.

Meanwhile, John Hume appealed for a massive turnout at an Anti-Repression rally in the Brandywell, declaring: “It is now essential that everyone takes a stand.”

Éamon Phoenix notes that nationalist consent for Stormont rule was evaporating as minority demands for its abolition intensified.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-21st-august-1971-ireland


𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺

𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗢-𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗: 1971 Relations between the British and Irish governments deteriorated sharply...
21/08/2026

𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗢-𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗: 1971 Relations between the British and Irish governments deteriorated sharply as Edward Heath and Jack Lynch clashed over the Northern Ireland crisis.

In a telegram, Lynch condemned attempts to find “military solutions”, arguing that events since the introduction of internment demonstrated the need for political means and “immediate and full equality of treatment for everyone in NI”.

He warned that if existing policies continued, he intended to support the passive resistance being pursued by the non-Unionist population.

Heath responded in unusually strong terms, describing Lynch’s telegram as “unjustified in its content” and “unacceptable in its attempt to interfere in the affairs of the UK”.

Éamon Phoenix notes that Heath robustly rejected Dublin’s right to be consulted in Northern Ireland affairs.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-21st-august-1971-ireland

𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: 1921 The inquest into the death of 13-year-old Mary McGowan heard sharply differin...
20/08/2026

𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: 1921 The inquest into the death of 13-year-old Mary McGowan heard sharply differing accounts of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Frank Harkin said there had been no firing in Ross Street for half an hour before the police appeared and insisted there was "absolutely" no necessity for firing down the street.

Head Constable Pakenham, who was in charge of the Specials, gave a different account, saying there had been firing by both police and civilians.

Asked whether he would swear that Mary had not been killed by his men, he replied: "Oh no. I would not swear that."

The jury recommended that, in the interests of peace, the Special Constabulary should not be allowed into localities occupied by people of an opposite denomination.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-20th-august-1921-ireland

𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬 (𝟭𝟯): 1921 An inquest jury found that 13-year-old Mary McGowan had died after being ...
20/08/2026

𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬 (𝟭𝟯): 1921 An inquest jury found that 13-year-old Mary McGowan had died after being fired upon by the Special Constabulary.

Mary and her mother were at their home in Derby Street, Falls Road, when they were both shot on 10th July.

Nationalist politician Frank Harkin told the inquest that a motor lorry of Specials had entered nearby Ross Street and that, after several minutes, there was suddenly a burst of fire from the vehicle.

"The little girl fell. Her mother was also shot," he said.

The jury concluded that Mary died from a gunshot wound to the thigh "the result of being fired at by the Special Constabulary".

Éamon Phoenix notes that incidents such as the killing of Mary convinced nationalists of the unacceptability of what they regarded as a deeply sectarian force.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-20th-august-1921-ireland

𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗗𝗥: 1971 The Ulster Defence Regiment faced the prospect of mass resignations by ...
19/08/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗗𝗥: 1971 The Ulster Defence Regiment faced the prospect of mass resignations by its Catholic members.

At a Belfast meeting of 31 Catholic UDR men and former members addressed by Austin Currie MP, only seven were prepared to return to duty.

Currie said he had supported Catholics joining the UDR when it was established, but was no longer prepared to encourage them to do so following Army activity and British Government policy.

He also criticised what he described as one-sided searches despite considerable quantities of arms in Unionist areas.

Éamon Phoenix notes that the bulk of the UDR's Catholic members resigned in protest at internment.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-19th-august-1971-ireland


𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺

𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬: 1971 John Hume and Ivan Cooper were detained for several hours amid protests over i...
19/08/2026

𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬: 1971 John Hume and Ivan Cooper were detained for several hours amid protests over internment in Derry.

Both Opposition MPs were covered in dye after troops used a water cannon on the crowd. Late that night, following their release, they were carried shoulder high into the Bogside.

Elsewhere, two more civilians were shot dead by the Army – Eamonn Lafferty, a baker, in Derry and Eamonn McDevitt, a deaf mute, in Strabane.

Their deaths brought the death toll to 28 as protests over internment swept Northern Ireland.

Éamon Phoenix notes that Hume and Cooper were subsequently charged under the Special Powers Act.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-19th-august-1971-ireland


𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺

𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 1971 Statements from men detained during the internment round-up detailed allegati...
18/08/2026

𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: 1971 Statements from men detained during the internment round-up detailed allegations of their treatment by soldiers and military police.

James Magilton of Clowney Street, Belfast, said he was beaten after being taken away in a Saracen and later forced to support himself against a wall using only his fingertips.

John Murphy, also of Clowney Street, said he was raced and dragged for at least a mile before being photographed, given electric shocks and repeatedly beaten.

Joseph Hughes of Butler Street alleged that his door was smashed at 4 am and that his wife and 16-year-old daughter were struck before he was dragged from his home.

Éamon Phoenix notes that the reports intensified nationalist anger as plans developed for a major programme of passive resistance.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-18th-august-1971-ireland


𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺

𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗪𝗔𝗬: "𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧": 1971 Allegations about the treatment of people detained during th...
18/08/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗪𝗔𝗬: "𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧": 1971 Allegations about the treatment of people detained during the internment round-up were causing mounting anger.

Cardinal Conway said there was prima facie evidence that innocent people had been taken from their homes and subjected to "humiliating and brutal treatment by security forces".

The British Army responded that all allegations against it were thoroughly investigated and called on the Cardinal to forward any clear evidence to the GOC.

Meanwhile, statements collected from men who had been detained and subsequently released contained disturbing allegations of beatings and degrading treatment.

Éamon Phoenix notes that, as reports of the ill-treatment of detainees emerged, nationalist anger and resentment escalated.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-18th-august-1971-ireland


𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺

𝗦𝗜𝗫 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘: 1921 Six police B Class Specials were due to be formally charged in connection wit...
17/08/2026

𝗦𝗜𝗫 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘: 1921 Six police B Class Specials were due to be formally charged in connection with the shooting of County Tyrone farmer Joseph Hayden.

The six men had been held in military custody since June before being handed over to the civil authorities.

They were to face a special court in Derry.

Éamon Phoenix's column records the development alongside the inquest into the deadly Raglan Street ambush in Belfast.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-17th-august-1921-ireland

𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗛: 1921 An inquest heard dramatic evidence about an ambush on an RIC patrol in B...
17/08/2026

𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗖 𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗛: 1921 An inquest heard dramatic evidence about an ambush on an RIC patrol in Belfast's Raglan Street the previous month.

Sergeant C. P. Clarke recalled how the Crossley tender carrying the patrol entered the darkened street shortly before midnight.

After an initial shot, he said: "The whole street in front was lighted up by the flashes from rifles and revolvers."

Constable Thomas Conlon was killed, while Constable Hogan and Special Constable Charles Dunne were wounded.

Clarke described the patrol's position as "desperate" and recalled hearing a voice order: "Number One Section, burn the car!" The policemen opened rapid fire to prevent the attackers reaching the vehicle.

Éamon Phoenix notes that the incident became known as the "Raglan Street Ambush", carried out by the Belfast IRA.

Story:
https://www.eamonphoenixfoundation.com/on-this-day-post/on-this-day-17th-august-1921-ireland

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