The Troubles in Northern Ireland from 1969-1998 involved violent conflict between nationalists who wanted a united Ireland and unionists who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK. Religious and political divisions between Protestants and Catholics as well as disputes over home rule and independence fueled the violence. During this period over 3,000 people were killed as paramilitary groups like the IRA battled each other and security forces. The conflict was exacerbated by the criminalization of paramilitary prisoners in 1976 which led to revolts and hunger strikes in the prisons throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.

1. The Troubles
Ireland in Ethnic Conflict
from 1969-1998

2. Background
Why did the “troubles” even occur?
Why so much violence?
Was it because of…

3. Religious Differences?
Ireland has always been Protestant versus Catholic. Although Northern
Ireland belongs to the UK (and therefore, is mainly Protestant, counties
within N. Ireland are still predominantly Catholic.

4. The Home Rule Issue?
Southern Ireland had been trying for years to obtain their own
government in Dublin, but under British authority.

5. The Desire for Complete Irish Independence?
Southern Ireland became the Republic of Ireland. They got their
independence, but can supporters living in Northern Ireland unify both
Irelands together?

6. The Desire For Ireland to Stay Loyal to the Crown?
Unionists: We choose to support British Parliament & the Crown.

7. Civilian Deaths by Year
1970-1982*
300 1970-1982
250
200
Civilian
Deaths by
Year
150
100
50
0 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982
*McKittrick & McVea had a range from 1966-2001, but the 1970s to the
Hunger Strike of ‘81 were the peak of the Troubles.

8. Responsibility for Deaths
from Making Sense of the Troubles by David McKittrick & David McVea
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Groups Involved
Nationalists Loyalists All Security Forces Others
Nationalists were responsible for the brunt of the deaths during the Troubles, but Loyalists were not innocent. All
security forces meant auxiliary police groups, like the pro-Loyalist B-Specials.

9. Momentum
Battle of the Bogside: 12-14 August 1969
Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland

10. • November 1969: Ulster Defence
Regiment replaces B-Specials
1969-1973
• July 1970: All marches, including
Drumcree, are banned.
• February 1971: IRA shoots Robert
Curtis, the first serving soldier to die in
the Troubles.
A Brief • January 1972: Bloody Sunday redux—13
men shot in Derry/Londonderry by
Timeline army.
• July 1972: Bloody Friday—22 IRA
bombs kill nine civilians and numerous
are injured.
• December 1973: Sunningdale…

11. What was Sunningdale?
Sunningdale was an attempt to create a power-sharing government between the Ulster Unionist
party, the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party, and the Alliance party. However, it ended
as quickly as it started, as it was met with major opposition from the IRA and from the Protestants, for
the IRA wanted total victory and the Protestants thought it’d end up helping form a fully united
Ireland.

12. The Ulster This protested the assembly
Workers’ vote regarding the complete
endorsement of Sunningdale.
Council Strike: This strike involved Unionist
paramilitary groups like the
May 1974 UDA. Electricity output
declined and work places
were forced to close. The
new power-sharing executive
had no power over the
strikers and soon, the strikers
gained the upper hand.
Two weeks later, Faulkner
conceded , the strike ended
and Sunningdale was no
more.

13. The Origins of Criminalization: 1976
As paramilitary actions became more
violent after Sunningdale fell through,
increasing numbers of paramilitary
members from both sides were jailed.
Typically detained at Long Kesh
prison, paramilitary members had one
thing ordinary prisoners did not…
Special Category Status (1972):
This meant they were political prisoners
and were treated to certain privileges
ordinary prisoners were not. They didn’t
take orders from prison guards but their William Whitelaw, at the time Secretary
Officer Commanding (OC), wore normal of State for Northern Ireland, gave this
clothes and not a prison uniform and were status to paramilitary prisoners.
exempt from doing prison work.

14. Regrets: Criminalization, 1976
Whitelaw, in retrospect four years later,
chooses to revoke it.
What does this mean for paramilitary prisoners now?
They are now ordinary prisoners and their
privileges do not exist. Their crimes are not
classified as being “politically” motivated.

15. What Would A Paramilitary Do?
Revenge! They went to the extreme to get their
status back. Paramilitary strikes
Early Strikes, included:
1976-1980
1976: Going “on the blanket.”
What would a paramilitary do?
This protest started it all; when newly detained
Revolt, of course.
prisoners were given their uniform, they refused
to wear it and leave their cell. They only had one
Housed in three specific jails thing to wear…the blankets on their beds. By
throughout Northern Ireland, 1978, 300 prisoners were “on the blanket.”
paramilitary prisoners planned
numerous strikes in order to
get their political status back. 1978: The “Dirty” Protests
The prisoners didn’t have enough support from
the outside, so they stepped it up a bit in 1978.
Check out this map to see What started out as a “no-wash” protest
more information about the culminated into the dirty protest. They refused to
jails, and their location leave their cells and as a result, chamber pots got
throughout Northern Ireland. full and caused this…

16. Yes, that is what you think it is on the wall.
Prisoners had one way to get rid of their waste in order to avoid being beaten up by the
screws (prison guards) if they dared leave their cells. This strike kept going on until 1980,
when they decided to go even more extreme…

17. Hunger Strike: 1980