O’Neill blown out of office by loyalist conspirators

STEVEN King’s version of recent political history in Northern Ireland, on the circumstances surrounding the resignation from office of former prime minister Terence O’Neill is at variance with fact (‘North needs an election to purge system on the brink of breakdown’, November 25)

Mr King’s statement that although the North was “supposed to be pointing in the right direction under Terence O’Neill and then the Provos rose up from the ashes of Bombay Street” clearly implies it was the Provisional IRA which was responsible for forcing Capt O’Neill from office.

The facts suggest otherwise. Following the formation of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, which was set up to influence British and American public opinion on the lack of civil rights for Catholics in the North, Prime Minister Terence O’Neill, despite fierce opposition from within his own party, looked favourably on the introduction of more moderate policies which included “one man, one vote” for all in the gerrymandered local elections. This political accommodation of Catholics was regarded as appeasement to IRA violence and enraged the virulently anti-Catholic shadowy figures in loyalism who conspired to “rid Ulster of this Lundy”. Calls were made for O’Neill to resign. Although not yet prepared to fall on his own sword, sinister forces within loyalism were about to apply the final push. If political pressure alone would not force O’Neill to stand aside, then a few strategically placed bombs might, especially if the IRA was believed to be responsible.