Phil talks about how as a British army paratrooper in the 1960s he was imprisoned for supplying explosives to the IRA. After his release from prison in 1967 he joined the civil rights campaign.
He was arrested when internment was introduced again in August 1971 and interned in Long Kesh. He was one of the longest serving internees of that period being held from August 1971 until May 1975 and he describes some of the events that unfolded in Long Kesh throughout those years.
Audio description
00:00:00.0 00:03:04.2 Former British paratrooper. In mid 1960s took explosives and ammunition and gave it to the IRA. Spent 18 months in Crumlin Road Gaol. Released in 1967. Interned from 1971 until 1975.
00:03:04.2 00:10:18.4 Build up to internment. Neighbour’s home burnt. Internment morning, taken from house thought he was to be executed. Taken to Girdwood Barracks.
00:10:18.4 00:14:15.1 Inside Girdwood Barracks. Most people had injuries. Moved to Crumlin Road Prison. End of September moved Long Kesh.
00:14:15.1 00:17:56.7 Transferred by helicopter. Initially only 2 Cages. Most internees had no political connections, formed a committee to help organise structures.
00:17:56.7 00:21:16.1 First riot in October 1971 over poor food. Use of CS Gas. Selected for punishment got badly beaten. Initially two warders taken hostage in demand to see governor.
00:21:16.1 00:24:30.9 On going issues over food. Some internees released, more coming in. Doing crafts.
00:24:30.9 00:28:07.9 Command structures within the camp. 1972 hunger strike for political status. As former British paratrooper reaction to news of Bloody Sunday.
00:28:07.9 00:30:01.1 Build up to burning of the camp in 1974. Using semaphore to communicate between Cages.
00:30:01.1 00:33:01.1 Escape plan. Hugh Coney shot dead. Stand off with British army. Living conditions after the camp was burnt.
00:33:01.1 00:34:45.4 British army raids. Plans laid in reaction to Ulster Worker’s Strike.
00:34:45.4 00:38:46.6 After release seeing difference in attitudes among people since 1971. Internment and Bloody Sunday had swelled the ranks of the IRA.
00:38:46.6 00:39:55.4 Reflecting on impact of internment on him and others.