North–South Relations and the Outbreak of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, 1968–9: the Response of the <i>Irish Press</i>

Abstract

This paper examines the response of an influential Irish newspaper, the Irish Press, to the development of North-South relations and the outbreak of the Troubles in Northern Ireland in 1968-9. It outlines the newspaper's sceptical attitude towards North-South cooperation and argues that this constituted a break with the Press's traditionally supportive stance vis-a-vis the Fianna Fail party. The paper shows how editorial perceptions of both Ulster Unionists and the northern political minority were affected by events, but also how traditional anti-partitionism exercised a dominant influence. Although the Press reacted quickly in terms of news coverage to the outbreak of conflict in Northern Ireland in October 1968, its editorial opinions on civil rights and on violence in the North were confused and sometimes inconsistent. Within a few months, however, a consistently militant editorial line began to emerge, with the Press issuing aggressive warnings to Unionists and the British government and preparing its readership for southern intervention in Northern Ireland.