Bloody Sunday November 21 1920 was one of the most dramatic events that occurred in Britain’s last war in Ireland – the Irish War of Independence 1919 to 1921. A guerrilla war fought between the Irish Republican Army and British forces and their paramilitary forces, the auxiliaries (Black and Tans). The Tans were the toughest, wildest, ruthless and most feared. They were sent to Ireland in March 1920 by the Welsh wizard Lloyd George. They knew nothing and cared nothing about Ireland. They could arrest and imprison anyone at any time. They murdered innocent people, burned and looted all over the south and west of Ireland.
The period of the War of Independence was a hell to live in. In the early morning of November 21 1920, Michael Collins’s assassination squad on a short sharp raid killed 11 British secret agents of the ‘Cairo Gang’ and regular intelligence officers. That afternoon a band of auxiliaries machine gunned the crowd at a football match between Dublin and Tipperary in Croke Park, killing 12 spectators, a member of the Tipperary team, and wounding 60.
Further atrocities continued throughout the country resulting in large areas being put under martial control. The action of the Tans while accomplishing their mission had also united not only Irish but British public opinion against the government. During a debate later in the House of Commons the Belfast MP Joe Devlin tried to get a discussion on Irish fatalities but was not allowed. A drunken Conservative MP attempted to attack Devlin but was prevented in doing so.
The intention was of ‘settling Ireland’ like Cromwell’s campaign on which it was modelled, short, sharp and decisive. It should be over and done with before the outside world awoke to the reality of what was happening. The world was stirred. The terrible truth about Britain’s involvement in Ireland began to be realised and began to call forth muttered foreign protests. When a large number of the British public realised that the world was paying attention began to protest, not to save Ireland but to save Britain’s face. It was then perceived as the commencement of the fall of the British Empire. How right they were.
The findings of the American Commission on Conditions in Ireland whose members consisted of a distinguished body of people from all spectrum of American life were damning. They cited British forces of acting contrary to the laws of peace or war among modern civilised nations. Lloyd George ignored the rising tide of world indignation until Britain’s hold on Ireland’s six north eastern counties was well secured and clamped. Partition secured he called for union among the people he was dividing and for peace between England and Ireland.
JAMES G BARRY
Dublin 6
Biden praise at odds with reality
Jim Gibney’s paean of praise for Joe Biden (November 16) is quite at odds with reality. It may well be that Donald Trump is an impolite reactionary who isn’t afraid to encourage racism and misogyny, but Biden is no saviour from on high either. As a key member of the previous Obama presidency, he bears full responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of bombs that were dropped on people in the Middle East by that administration. Biden’s first declaration on winning was to tell Nato that “America is back”.
He clearly aims to try and restore the US as the leader of a global
alliance that will keep small countries open to exploitation and US dominance. While his victory will be good news for Iran and – possibly – Cuba, it won’t help the Palestinians, or the Koreans. Trade war with China will be maintained, and Biden will work to put Nato back as a threatening force on the borders of Russia. Internally in the US, let’s remember that institutional racism in the police force was not challenged in the slightest way in the Obama-Biden presidency; more immigrants were deported than Trump managed to expel; while Kamala Harris has a shocking record of aggressive pursuit of the disadvantaged in the US criminal justice system.
Jim also tells us that Biden is a friend of Ireland. Well, we’ll see. But Biden was fully part of the Obama administration that insisted, against the advice of the IMF, that Ireland be forced to carry a €65bn debt burden to bail out Europe’s banks during the economic crisis. We are still paying back that debt. Some friend. The truth is there are positives and negatives attached to them all, even Trump. After all he started no foreign wars – the first US president since Eisenhower about whom that could be said. We need a more sober assessment of the impact of US politics on our struggle for democracy and for national unity and independence.
Less whitewashing and more critical analysis would have served Jim better, and been of more use to the readers.
EOIN Ó MURCHÚ
Cluain Dolcáin, Baile Áth Cliath 22
DUP are populists not leaders
Listening to Sammy Wilson telling us that the DUP would make certain that pubs and restaurants were not closed despite the Covid crisis brought home to me the weakness inherent in the whole DUP. Anyone over 40 will remember the DUP opposing the UUP power sharing with the SDLP, only to later warmly embrace power sharing with Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin (remember the Chuckle brothers) when they found an opportunity to win votes.
More will remember them following in the wake of UKIP to become champions of Brexit when this seemed like a vote winner, despite others warning them that Brexit would weaken the union and isolate Northern Ireland.
The DUP are populists, followers not leaders; this is why they admire and copy other populists like the disastrous Donald Trump. They court easy popularity by telling their voters what they want to hear, rather than difficult truths. They attack brave ministers like Robin Swann who takes the difficult decisions, while they pretend to be the saviours of our hospitality industry.
No sane person believes that the Christmas party season will continue as normal. Restaurants and pubs will not benefit from the uncertainty and chaos that Stormont is offering. The DUP economy minister should offer the hospitality sector financial support to allow them to stay closed for whatever time the medical experts deem necessary.
ARNOLD CARTON
Belfast BT6
Mining plans for Sperrins will not stand
Introducing herself to the public as a new MLA for West Tyrone last week Nicola Brogan mentioned that her “colleagues have lodged planning objections to the application for mining in the Sperrins”.
In fairness, a highly organised public awareness campaign by protectors over many months saw objection letter numbers soar to a record 40,000. Ahead of politicians the public realised the importance of preventing industrial mining and acted accordingly.
As a new lawmaker Ms Brogan has an opportunity to hit the ground running by vigorously campaigning on environmental issues with constituents, that’s the priority. A massive peat slip into the River Derg at the weekend is but one indicator of a barren future for us all unless politicians get pro active on the issue of our time.
Campaigners are reaching out to MLAs, new and old, asking them adopt the precautionary principle where gold mining is concerned.
Representatives at Stormont are obligated to do all in their power for future generations. Dalradian’s plans for the Sperrins will not stand.
CIARAN McCLEAN
Sixmilecross, Co Tyrone
