| Description | Interview with unidentified man, possibly Harry Curran, from Derry. He talks about his memories the implementation of the Special Powers Act by the police, police raiding his home, his father being arrested, and his own experiences of being arrested and interred in Derry Jail and Crumlin Road prison in Belfast without charge or trial during the 1940s, until the Second World War ended. He talks about the conditions where he was held on a prison ship with other political prisoners, the poor food and the unhygienic conditions. He discusses his release in 1945, his continued harrassment and questioning by the police, being interned without evidence from 1956 to 1960 during an IRA campaign and his belief that there has been a re-awakening of Nationalism and awareness of Irish history and culture amongst young people in Northern Ireland, with the realisation that they will not receive civil rights under the current government. He talks about a recent Easter parade in Derry that was well attended and peaceful and expresses his support for the civil rights movement and for the oppressed throughout the world. He discusses his admiration of James Connolly, his socialist beliefs and the need for both Catholic and Protestant workers to unite to fight for social justice, and talks about Socialist politicians in France and mainland Britain. He does not think the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland can expect anything from Westminster (tracks 1-9).
Interview with unidentified man who talks about his early employment history on a milk round in Derry, the loss of his job, and working in Nottingham as a machine moulder with other men from Derry. He contrasts the employment situation in England with that in Derry and explains that he had to leave England because his wife was unwell and unhappy. His wife joins the conversation to talk about her husband's experiences of unemployment, and the man talks about being a trade union member in England and his work being appreciated, but not being able to get a job in Derry without further training. He compares the wages he received in England with the pay that would be possible at home and discusses the probability that his son will have to go to England to find work. He goes on to talk about the lack of trade union cohesion in Northern Ireland and his wish for people to be treated as equals, regardless of their religion. He expresses his support for the civil rights movement, and his wife describes witnessing gun shots (tracks 10-15).
Total: 32.45 mins
Dubber's reference number: PLA KF565D0081780 |