Martin McGuinness was a young man in Derry when, in 1969, the RUC attacked Sam Devenney who subsequently died of his injuries. There was no history of sectarian violence in Derry and no IRA organisation in 1969.
Derry Citizens Defence Association (DCDA)
The Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) attacked the Bogside suburb of Derry in August 1969. Catholic youths easily beat the RUC who were expelled from the Bogside. Barricades were erected. The DCDA removed the barricades. Almost immediately riots ensued between Catholic and Protestant youths and a Protestant, William King, was beaten and died. Brigadier General Leng, a British Army veteran of colonial trouble areas such as Aden and Kenya, invaded the Bogside erecting checkpoints and military barriers. The British Army isolated the Bogside and Creggan like the Algerian 'Casbah.'
Martin McGuinness was arrested and charged for shouting abuse at British Soldiers and RUC men in 1970: he was bound over to keep the peace for two years.
The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Derry
The British Army shot dead two young Bogsiders, Cusack and Beattie, on July 8 1971. The people of Derry turned against the British Army. McGuinness joined the Provisional IRA, becoming the Derry Brigade's second-in-command at twenty one years of age.
IRA Terrorism Versus British Army Terrorism
In July 1971 a British Army Saracen APC knocked down and killed a nine year old boy and did not stop. One week later another British Army Saracen APC knocked down a three year old boy in Derry. The British authorities ignored these killings. Catholic schoolteachers noted British military operations coincided with the passage of children to and from schools.
On January 30, 1972, the British Army's war against the Catholic civilian population of Derry reached its zenith. The British Army opened fire on the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) march killing 13 people: another man died later. Martin McGuinness stated 'the British developed republicanism..... they brought about resistance to British rule.' See below - Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday.
Derry IRA Brigade attacks on the British Army demonstated their hatred for the military and this factor drove many new recruits into the IRA.
Rapid Promotion in the IRA
Martin McGuinness was charged with membership of the IRA in 1972. He was imprisoned and released in 1973. McGuinness became the IRA's Northern Commander. Provisional Sinn Fein became the political party for the IRA. Mc Guinness was accused of allowing IRA informer Frank Hegarty to return safely to Derry where he was promptly shot dead. McGuinness denies giving safe return to Hegarty. McGuinness and Mitchel McLaughlin commenced the de-escalation of violence process by 1993 ensuring Derry became the model for the gargantuan peace process.
Chairman, IRA Army Council
McGuinness was the second longest serving member of the Army Council. He was Northern Commander and was made Adjutant General. This move ensured those loyal to Adams and McGuinness could be manouevred into position, thereby enabling the peace process to be pursued. Adams and McGuinness dissociated themselves from the IRA and entered the politics of constitutional nationalism. Sinn Fein wanted the people of Ireland, acting as a unit, to decide the future of Ireland.
M. McGuinness MP and G. Adams MP
Adams and McGuinness were elected MPs for West Belfast and Derry respectively in 1982, but they did not take their seats. The IRA cease fire of 1994 led to te Good Friday Agreement of 1998 when, after much wrangling, Adams and McGuinness were elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and shared power with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Martin McGuinness served as Education Minister in 1998 and as Deputy First Minister from 2006 with DUPs Ian Paisley The Assembly in Stormont was constituted in 2006. The Northern Irish election of 2010 passed off without incident confirming Northern Irish society is functioning normally. McGuinness is serving Deputy First Minister with Peter Robinson DUP.
The Future
Sinn Fein, at present, is the only All-Ireland political party. Sinn Fein campaigns in disadvantaged areas promising better living conditions and equal opportunities for all in a utopian Republican Socialist Ireland.
Sinn Fein will increase their vote during and after the Irish presidential election with Martin McGuinness as Sinn Fein's presidential candidate. Fianna Fail are in decline, the votes of republican Fianna Fail are available to this opportunistic candidate because Fianna Fail do not have a presidential candidate.
Sources
- The Northern Ireland Peace Process
- The Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday Derry 1972
- Hope and History, Making Peace in Ireland
- The Dirty War by Martin Dillon
Michael Manning - ' The best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity' W.B.Yeats
