Bloody Sunday

Bloody Sunday The events that took place on Bloody Sunday, 30th January 1972 have

been discussed frequently and certain aspects of the event highly

debated. The events of the particular day were of significant

influence in further procedures in N. Ireland an on other related

events. The event began after an illegal march took place in the

centre of Derry, N. Ireland; the police and government banned the

march as it was thought it would provoke violence. The march was lead

by Catholic supporters who were demonstrating for Catholic rights, the

Protestant-biased government and the internment of Catholics. As the

march approached the city centre where Army barricades were set up,

the first shot of many was fired. The question of who was to blame was

then introduced, with neither the Army nor the Catholic marchers

accepting responsibility. Thirteen people were found dead after the

incident with may others left injured. With neither side accepting

blame for the incident and instead blaming the incident on the

opposition, the question of who is to blame is a difficult one. It is

thought that the previous violence of the summer of 1969, particularly

the Battle of Bogside, in which Catholics violently fought with the

RUC and B Specials, provoked the introduction of the British Army. The

role of the Army was supposedly to keep the peace, defending the

Catholic population from Protestant attacks, a scenario that has

turned out to be somewhat ironic. The British also reintroduced the

use of internment in August 1971, which allowed the government to

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...highly likely that the exact events

of what happened on Black Sunday will remain unknown to those that

were not present. Many factors have affected this, least of all the

complexity of the event and whether or not it was intended as a

peaceful protest given that the march was declared illegal and

therefore should never have taken place. Also given the depth of

emotion on the day, as well as after, as the paratroopers were left in

a difficult position, Brian Faulkner wanting a tough approach and

Catholics protesting against internment; which was declared illegal by

the European court, lead to a very aggressive situation with both

sides having significant reasons for violence. Therefore certainty can

never really be considered and whether or not an agreement will be

reached on what happened on Bloody Sunday is debatable.