Breakdown

Available for over a year

There's no definitive way of knowing what happened during the week in August 1969 when Northern Ireland erupted into the full-scale violence of the troubles. But the powerful and largely forgotten testimonies heard soon after by the Scarman Tribunal can help bring us close. Chaired by distinguished judge, Lord Leslie Scarman, the tribunal compelled witnesses from all sides to testify to their experience of the events which led to the breakdown of law and order and the British Army being deployed. Ruth Sanderson grew up in Northern Ireland and recently moved back here. While she wasn't born when the Troubles started, she believes they continue to cast a long shadow. Now, expecting her first child, Ruth tries to unravel the events of August 1969 and discover how the violence began. Actors: Peter Balance, Ian Beattie, Kieran Lagan, Tara Lynne O’ Neill, Patrick FitzSymons and Frankie McCafferty. Music: David Holmes featuring Gerry Diver on violin Producers: Conor Garrett & Ophelia Byrne Photo credit: Fondation Gilles Caron / Clermes Access to material relating to the Scarman Tribunal report into violence and civil disturbances in Northern Ireland in 1969 was kindly provided by Special Collections, Queen’s University Belfast. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.