Interned

Michael worked as an apprentice machinist in the belfast shipyard at the outset of the second world war. However as war progressed, catholic workers were systematically intimidated out of the shipyard. Michael and many others, having been singled out for this treatment was subsequently arrested and interned for the duration of the war as an undesirable. This was the fate of many catholics, nationalists and republicans in northern ireland during the war. Despite having no charges laid in a court of law and eventually being released, without charge, this history of internment on his record meant that he never got to work as an engineer again. Indeed, he (and his family) were reduced to living a life of poverty at second class status which directly impacted on the next generation born during the 1950's. The second world war left a legacy for the family that has taken at least two generations to put right.

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