This “banning order” was delivered by the RUC to those named on the instructions of the Stormont Minister for Home Affairs who viewed these four men as being the prime organisers of Derry’s first official civil rights march. The late Sean (John) Gallagher was the chief marshall on the day. The three others named were taken from their homes early on Oct. 6th and charged at a special court held at the main RUC base, Victoria Barracks on Strand Road. The original document was recently donated to the Museum of Free Derry by Fionnbarra  Ó Dochartaigh, a co-founder of Nicra, whose name appears in English:

Read the rest of this entry »

Mr. Gerard Fitt (Belfast, West) : On rising to my feet to address the House this evening, I would, first, ask the House to consider that I, as the new Member for West Belfast, had to overcome many obstacles before I had the opportunity of addressing this House. I take some consolatioh from the fact that in the^-television and Press analysis immediately after the result of the election, you, Mr. Speaker, and I were categorised as the fourth largest party represented in this House: ” Others, Two “. I cannot refrain from saying that if that is correct it will be a most influential fourth party in this House. I am not sure whether that was an attempt to depict me as an impartial independent, which I most decidedly am not, or whether it makes you, Mr. Speaker, an added member of the Republican Labour Party, in which case I take this opportunity to welcome you into the party as there are, as you will be well aware, all too few of us.

Read the rest of this entry »