The Road to Londonderry, April–October 1968

Abstract

In the six months covered by this chapter the political atmosphere swung from the optimism and complacency surrounding O’Neill’s fifth anniversary in office to the sudden, and dangerous, polarisation of the two communities on the eve of the Londonderry riot. Many of the ingredients for the 25 years of violence which followed can be discerned during those months. Wilson himself claims to have sensed the unreality of this period. He wrote later, ‘Throughout that spring and summer there was an uneasy quiet in the streets of Derry and Belfast, and with it an uneasy reprieve for Capt. O’Neill.’³

we cannot continue indefinitely with the present situation. Something has to be done.

Harold Wilson three months before the outbreak of violence in Londonderry¹ 11 July 1968.

Callaghan does not see how he can intervene because the Northern Ireland Government is responsible for law and order.

Report in The Times on the eve of the Londonderry violence after Labour MPs had appealed directly to the Home Secretary²