The August 1969 riots across Northern Ireland marked the effective start of the Troubles and triggered the deployment of British troops under Operation Banner.
Key Facts
- Duration
- 12–16 August 1969
- Deaths in Belfast
- 7 people
- Catholic civilians shot by police
- 5 people
- Operation Banner start
- 14 August 1969
- Families displaced
- Thousands, mostly Catholic
- First UK use of CS gas
- Battle of the Bogside, Derry
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Sporadic violence had occurred throughout 1969 stemming from the Northern Ireland civil rights campaign, which demanded an end to discrimination against Catholics and Irish nationalists. Civil rights marches were attacked by Protestant loyalists, and protesters repeatedly clashed with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, an overwhelmingly Protestant police force.
On 12 August 1969, the Battle of the Bogside erupted in Derry, sparking three days of fierce clashes between the RUC and Catholic/nationalist residents who built barricades and made petrol bombs. Violence spread across Northern Ireland on 13 August; Belfast saw the bloodiest clashes, with seven killed and hundreds wounded. Police fired CS gas for the first time in UK history. Loyalists attacked Catholic districts, burning scores of homes and businesses.
The British Army deployed on 14 August, beginning the 37-year Operation Banner, and peace lines were erected between communities. The riots caused a split in the IRA, leading to the formation of the Provisional IRA and the Official IRA, and spurred growth of loyalist paramilitaries including the UVF. The British government held an inquiry, disbanded the reserve police force, and the Republic of Ireland established field hospitals near the border.
Political Outcome
British Army deployed; peace lines erected; IRA split into Provisional and Official factions; reserve police disbanded; beginning of the Troubles
RUC policing Northern Ireland with Protestant loyalist dominance
British Army assuming security role; Catholic communities reorganised; paramilitary groups on both sides expanded