The central premise ofthis thesis is that the use of internment without trial in Northern Ireland from 1971 to 1975 has not been given proper academic investigation. My research provides a more comprehensive account of internment and assesses previously unexplored aspects of its use. In this thesis I demonstrate my argument by examining three main areas. Firstly I consider the high politics and intelligence surrounding the introduction ofinternment; in doing so I challenge accepted narratives regarding the measure. I demonstrate that there was ample intelligence available on both republican and loyalist paramilitaries. Additionally I show that a policy of not interning loyalist paramilitaries was pursued, firstly by Stormont and then Westminster, until 1973. I argue that the introduction of internment was actively supported by both administrations. Furthermore I contend that around this time the British government had adopted a policy which contained a much greater security emphasis. This thesis also highlights long-term and short-term consequences which developed from the internment period. Finally this research examines the evolution ofthe conflict in Northern Ireland between 1970 and 1972 outside of Belfast and Derry. This is a substantial part ofthis thesis which concentrates on four towns: Lurgan, Newry, Dungannon and Enniskillen. I show that the development ofthe dynamics ofthe conflict was certainly more gradual and possibly less inevitable in these areas than in Belfast and to a lesser extent Derry
| Date of Award | Jul 2013 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | - Queen's University Belfast
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