Stormont fears at the likelihood of an attack on a civil rights march at Burntollet in Co Derry in April 1969 surfaces in files just released in Belfast. The concern followed the infamous loyalist ambush of the People's Democracy 'Long March' in January 1969 at the same spot.
A note in the file records that, following notification of the march, on April 17 1969, the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr (now Sir) Robert Porter, QC, met senior RUC officers including the Deputy Inspector General, County Inspector Meharg and County Inspector Kerr.
Kerr reported that opposition to the march was growing and that even moderates in the area 'were now saying that they had no control whatever on the militant extremists who would be likely to oppose the march.' Whatever decision was taken, it would require a force of some 400-500 police on the day.
The Minister met the RUC again on April 18 when he expressed the view that there would be violent and serious public disorder if the march were allowed to proceed.
This followed a meeting between the Minister of Home Affairs and a deputation from the Grand Lodge of the Orange Order, including Rev Martin Smyth and the Rev John Brown regarding the march. 'They [the Orange delegates] expressed grave concern about the feeling which was widespread throughout the country that the government and RUC were allowing the Civil Rights Movement to disrupt the life of the community and that virtually no action was being taken against them, whereas Protestants who were opposed to the desecration of the province were being subjected to the rigours of the law. In earlier years, there was an extremely good understanding between the RUC and members of the community but this was now coming to an end.'
'The time had come when the officers of the Orange Order were no longer able to control the rank and file and they feared there could be an uprising. The courts also appeared to be biased against Protestants and attention was drawn to the fact that Mr Austin Currie 9 (later a Fine Gael TD) was fined only five pounds for his squatting action in Caledon whereas Mr Paisley and Major Bunting had their fines doubled when they appeared at the County Court.'
Rev Smyth and Rev Brown were adamant that the proposed march should be banned 'and that if allowed to proceed, there would undoubtedly be bloodshed.' At this point the Minister was told that members of the deputation 'had heard that firearms would be used next day and there had been a suggestion that petrol would be used as a method of attack.'
On the following day, April 19, 1969 (the file reveals), Mr Porter met a deputation from the North Derry Civil Rights Association at the request of the Foyle MP, Mr John Hume. 'The Minister told them that information in his possession indicated clearly that the march would be met with violent physical opposition along the whole route and that the police could not guarantee to give it full protection.' The Civil Rights deputation said they were 'bitterly aggrieved by the Minister's prohibition and inquired how they could now make peaceful protest about grievances which had been inflicted on sections of the community.' The Minister replied that the police and he had to consider whether a parade would lead to serious disorder.
Later that day, Mr Porter banned the proposed Burntollet march on the ground that serious public disorder might result.