THE IRISH NEWS NEWS FRIDAY OCTOBER 152010 5
Documents shed .. :zC:J8 leenti!1e Pc .e181 more light on Burntollet attac
EW docwnents have WMajor Bunting's followers, ireland in 1968 and 1969; helped shed more light carrying a Ulster nag and the "The windoWs of the on the infamous attack Union flag, t.hen preceded the Guildhall were smashed and on civil rights protesters at parade througb BeHasl.ft the men Inside the hall were Burntollet In 19'69 - when It was noted that members of apprehensive for their safety Major Ronald Bunting and his the People's Democracy had and that of the women and son Ronnie stood on been carrying placards and children who were present.ft opposing sides. hanners,wlth messages He added: "Major Bunllng, In The documents have been Including: 'Civil rights 1969', addressing the audience and released by IbePubllc 'Civil rights march', Instructing lhem to organise Records Office In Belfast and 'Anll-poverty march', 'Houses for df'fence of their women made public days before the for all, jobsfor all' and '()ne and children as they left the 30th anniversary of Ronnie house, one family'. hall, stated that the rioters Buotlng's murder. The documents Include the oulslde were a civil rights Among them is an RUC names and addresses 01 some mob. document marked wlmprovised weapons were • SAME ADDRESS: A document just released by the Pub lic Records Office in Belr:asl lists '5'Jme of those 'Confidential' which shows obtained by breaking up present in BurntDllet outside Deny In January 1969, Wlttl Ronnie Bunting on the ("ivil rights side and his how the People's Democracy ~The People's chairs and stair bannisters father Major Ronald Buntlilg. of tile same address, on the opposing side student marchers found and In 11 protective fonnation themselves under thri:at from Democracy the audience attempted to loyalists fTOm the beginning supporters leave the haJl. ft of their four-day Lord Cameron concluded demoostratJOn, formed up at that Bunting was wrong In The newly formed group, 9.1Sam and claiming that the rioters were which had called for radlcaI civil rights protesters. clvll rights relanu, had moved off along He also noted Bunting's decided to lTlarch from Donegall Place rallying call 10 Lhe Palsleyites Belfast to Derry to raise to be close to BurntaUet the awareness of the cause. and as they did [ollowing morning 10 "see the The documents - released to marchers on their way" the UniVersity of Ulster's so, an attempt Il was saId that on leaving coomct Archive on the was made by Claudy on the final day of Internet (Cain) - confirm that their march, the People's loyaUsts targeted the some of Major Democracy leaders chose to marchers as sOOn as they set Bunting's Ignore police advice that they oU from Beltast. should avoid BurntoJlet Dated January 131969 the supporters to bridge, five miles from Derry. docu ments state that the pull down a civil At Bumtollet the marchers RUe was Informed of the were attacked by a march in December 1!l68. rights banne r" w ~ ~l;> ~~ is~>