Jim recalls his first impressions arriving in Long Kesh on a rainy winter’s night when he was 18 years old.
He talks about the earliest days of the conflict when he was a teenager living in Short Strand and witnessing the ‘Battle of St. Matthews’.
Jim describes life in Long Kesh during his internment, remembering some of the individuals he met and his immersion in education and political development.
Shortly after Jim was interned his father died and Jim tells us how it was years after his release before he realised the traumatic impact that had upon him.
00:00:00.0 00:04:52.2 Jim describes his first impressions of Long Kesh when interned aged 18 in December 1972.
00:04:52.2 00:09:20.3 British army blanket raids, community punishment. Historical perspective of Short Strand – Ballymacarret prior to and after Partition.
00:09:20.3 00:11:32.9 Childhood from Rathcoole to Short Strand. Growth of civil rights campaign, escalation of conflict.
00:11:32.9 00:19:56.3 Recalling June 27th 1970 ‘Battle of St Matthews’ when the local Civil Defence and the IRA defended Short Strand from a sustained attack from armed loyalists. Change in IRA capabilities and reputation since 1969.
00:19:56.3 00:27:25.8 Describing early period as internee, layout of Cages and living accommodation. Monthly British army raids, organised brutality and destroying personal property.
00:27:25.8 00:31:58.6 Family visits, situation hard on families. Command structures within the camp. Very congested and cramped conditions
00:31:58.6 00:36:45.8 Influences on his political development. Surrounded by books and political discussions. Remembering individuals, Joe and Kieran who later died on hunger strike in the H Blocks.
00:36:45.8 00:39:15.6 Recalling escapes and escape attempts, one with tragic circumstances.
00:39:15.6 00:43:37.6 Creating a library in Cage 3. Immersing himself in education. Recalling UWC strike, concerns of being vulnerable to attack.
00:43:37.6 00:47:24.6 Protests over searches, no visits for 6-8 weeks. Riot over the poor condition of prison food.
00:47:24.6 00:51:13.8 Running the gauntlet in British army raids. Attacked by dog. One internee, a former British soldier, constantly selected for severe beatings.
00:51:13.8 00:53:21.9 Sudden release after 2 years.
00:53:21.9 00:56:47.6 Recalling the sudden death of his father a few months after he was interned. Only given 6 hours ‘compassionate leave’ to attend the funeral.
00:56:47.6 01:00:18.9 Only discovering years later how much trauma the period of his father’s death had on him.
01:00:18.9 01:06:33.0 Age difference between the youngest and oldest internees. Internees who were interned in 1940s and 50s. Links going back to 1916. Recalling friendships.
01:06:33.0 01:11:03.4 While interned family had moved to Twinbrook, released to familiar routine of harassment and conflict.