Revisiting 1969: Declaration to the people of 26 Counties

Statement as published, Irish Press 18th August 1969:

We, Paddy Devlin, Paddy Kennedy and Paddy O’Hanlon, being elected representatives of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, address the people of the 26 Counties and state the Unionist Government are now pursuing a deliberate policy of genocide against the Catholic population of the six counties of Northern Ireland.

We further state that: they have armed their most fanatical supporters with automatic weapons and have acquiesed in their barbarous and brutal excesses. They have consistently refused to listen to protests, appeals or prayer to grant social justice and to put an end to the present murder, shooting, pillage and burning of Catholic homes. They have now embarked. upon a course of action similar in intent and method to that of the Hitlerite regime in its policy against the Jews.

At the moment, thousands of our families are homeless and in great physical distress. Our people are living on the charity of a dedicated few but their resources of food, clothing and medical supplies are nearly exhausted. While aid to refugees from the six counties is welcome the direct need at the moment is to get food, clothing, medical supplies and other appropriate material through to the beieagued areas in Belfast, Derry and elsewhere. If this is not done immediately the loss in life will dramatically multiply.

We appeal in desperation to the Irish people and their Government to assist us now. We implore the Government to make this aid available to our people without delay, as delay may prove fatal. We ask the people of Ireland to make representation by every means in their power to the Government and to insist that the aid we have requested be given forthwith.

Chichester-Clark’ s statement that the extremist Republican elements are responsible for the disorders in Northern Ireland is a pack of lies. His function now is reduced to deception of the British public about the murderous activities of his extremist supporters. This trouble stems not from Republicans but within his own party and is related to his efforts to retain-leadership in the Unionist Government.

Signed: Paddy Devlin, M.P. Paddy O’Hanlon, M.P. Paddy Kennedy, M.P.

The previous day Devlin, who was to later be a founding member of the SDLP, spoke at a public meeting in front of the GPO in Dublin. He told the meeting that “As we stand here tonight people are being shot down and the only way they can defend themselves is with guns. We have not got these and we need them badly.” (Sunday Independent, 17th August 1969).

Devlin was one of a number of figures who made public calls for weapons or for the Irish Army to invade the north. Here is then President of the Union of Students in Ireland and a later founder of the Peace People, Ciaran McKeown (in footage recorded by Thames TV) speaking at another rally at the GPO, this time on the 17th August 1969.