Sean talks about being interned whilst a student and completed first year exams in Long Kesh.
Recalls routine of internment and the brutality of British army raids.
Reflects on the impact of internment on families and how the events politicised communities.
Fintan talks about his two periods of internment. The burning of Long Kesh and the escape in October 1974.
Noírín recalls the degrading searches when visiting Long Kesh. Her involvement in anti-internment protests and marches.
0:00:00.0 00:01:01.5 Was a student at Queens University when interned from 1972 to 1974. Completed university first year exams in Long Kesh.
00:01:01.5 00:02:52.9 Interned on Maidstone March 1972. Conditions atrocious. Mass hunger strike organised to get ship closed down. Eventually succeeded, transferred to Long Kesh.
00:02:52.9 00:05:02.1 Long Kesh experience. Mostly teenagers in hut. Older republicans’ experience ensured discipline. Trying to access education, similar issues in H Blocks years later.
00:05:02.1 00:07:31.1 British army raids on camp were often brutal. Practically everyone from his area, Clonard, in one way or another were affected by the conflict.
00:07:31.1 00:11:27.1 Internment routine. Issues around visits. Difficulties for families, financial burden but great community support. Theatre of struggle.
00:11:27.1 00:14:01.4 Continuing his Queens University studies, lecturers coming in to do tutorials. Teachers giving their time voluntarily to teach classes. Miriam Daly teaching and buying books for them.
00:14:01.4 00:16:22.5 Recalling events that politicised the community. People interned who had no connection with republican activism. Internment increased support for the IRA.
00:16:22.5 00:18:10.5 Internment formed the direction of his life. Reading about political struggles, corresponding with Palestinians, political discussions and learning Irish.
