Brendan talks about his memories of the attack on students’ Civil rights march at Burntollet.
He describes being taken out of his home on August 9th 1971 and being interned for 20 months, up until that point he had not been involved in politics his main interest was GAA.
He tells how the experience of internment impacted his family.
Eventually settling in Monaghan town, he was then interrogated by the Garda ‘Heavy Gang’ and spent time in Portlaoise Prison.
He reflects on how things have changed since 1971 but knows that many still find it very difficult to talk about what happened to them all those years ago.
Audio Transcript
00:00:00.0 00:04:49.0 Family background. Recalling the events around Burntollet when unionists attacked students marching from Belfast to Derry in 1969.
00:04:49.0 00:09:09.1 August 09th 1971 taken from home by British army and along with others brought to Ballykelly British army base for interrogation.
00:09:09.1 00:10:35.6 Interrogated in Ballykelly for a number of days then brought by helicopter to Maidstone Prison ship.
00:10:35.6 00:13:29.2 Onto the Maidstone, into the unkown. Eventually moved by helicopter again to new internment camp at Long Kesh.
00:13:29.2 00:16:14.2 Recalling first family visits on the Maidstone. Tensions and pranks amidst the cramped conditions.
00:16:14.2 00:17:42.1 Making crafts for fundraising to help families outside.
00:17:42.1 00:20:01.4 Riot with British paratroopers over poor prison food.
00:20:01.4 00:23:32.8 Impact on family. Constant house raids and harassmment. Settled in Monaghan, very involved with GAA.
00:23:32.8 00:25:22.5 Interogation by Garda ‘Heavy Gang’. Time in Portlaoise Prison.
00:25:22.5 00:27:27.2 Reflecting on the changes since 1971, those who have come and gone and changing attitudes.
00:27:27.2 00:29:33.2 There are many untold stories but it’s still very difficult to talk about some of the things that happened. Work continuing with the community.