Bloody Sunday

Starter

Ireland in Schools Durham Pilot Scheme

When: 30 January 1972

Where: Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland

Occasion: Civil rights demonstration against internment

What happened: 13 civilians were shot dead by British paratroopers

The controversy: Who fired the first shot - the IRA or the paratroopers?
 Who fired first?
Did the army respond to IRA fire, or did the soldiers fire recklessly?

Father Edward Daly Lt-Col. Derek Wilford

Roman Catholic Priest Paratroops commander
‘There was no ‘I personally
provocation had shots fired
whatsoever.’ at me.’

Video interview Video interview

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-1520083688726792087 http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=6363763681504545954
Now watch a short video shot on the day.
How far does it help you to decide
who fired first?

Were the paratroopers fired on first?

Or

Did they fire recklessly?

Click here to start video
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=6105142505054549030
How far, if at all, did the video help you
to decide who fired first?

Were the paratroopers fired on first?

Or
Did they fire recklessly?
You have considered the question which has long
exercised people.

Now, in groups of 4, consider

what other questions you think should be asked
about Bloody Sunday?

Report your findings to the rest of the class.

See next page for some suggestions

Some possible further questions about Bloody Sunday

The march
Given the previous troubles in Londonderry,
• why did Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association decide upon the march
• why did the government allow the march?

Internment
Why did NICRA feel so strongly about internment?
Why was internment introduced?
How well-thought-out and executed was the policy on internment?
Why did the government continue with internment when it proved so controversial?

Violence
What was the cause of the violence that prompted internment?

Effects
What were the immediate and longer-term effects of Bloody Sunday?
Did it cause people to consider the cost of violence or did it increase tension and
violence?
What effect did it have of the government of Northern Ireland and its relations with
Westminster?