Our Stories — Our Times: The Troubles
The Red Cross in Northern Ireland maintained a key, neutral and independent role throughout the conflict in Ulster. From Derry to Belfast the society provided first aid and care to those impacted by violence.
Last updated: 3 October 2024
The Troubles are the name given to the sporadic conflict that existed in Northern Ireland between 1968 and 1998. While that conflict arose unexpectedly, the Red Cross was quick to respond.
Under the leadership of Lady Aileen McCorkell, Jack Thompson, and Maureen Darby, the movement demonstrated its commitment to neutrality and impartiality in the face of sectarian violence.
How could we, members of the greatest humanitarian organisation in the world, stand by and do nothing?
I realised there must be some part for the Red Cross to play …
Lady Aileen McCorkell, A Red Cross in My Pocket.
In October 1968, violence first erupted on the streets of Derry. The Red Cross, which already delivered meals on wheels and provided support to the disabled and their families across the city, sought to continue their work.
Their volunteers abandoned dress uniforms, in favour of carrying only red crosses in their pockets, and marked their cars with our emblem.
They worked closely with the Order of Malta to staff a first aid post in the Creggan area of the city and were allowed freedom to pass throughout the city by both the British Army and the Irish Republican Army.
Bloody Sunday marked a change in the conflict as military forces clashed with civilians. On that day, 30 January 1972, Red Cross volunteers transported families and in once case a victim to Altnagelvin Hospital. Unknown Red Cross volunteers attended the funerals of Bloody Sunday victims the following week.
Audio: Stella describes Bloody Sunday.
Throughout the Troubles, the Derry City Branch of the Red Cross (later the Western Branch) took a hands-on approach, providing first response and emergency response as well as continuing to work with the families of victims regardless of political, religious, or personal identity.
Audio: Stella describes support for victims and their families.
Members of the branch were amongst the first responders to the Greysteele shootings in 1993, and the Omagh Bombing in 1998. Illustrating the ongoing commitment of volunteers throughout the duration of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The British Red Cross branches in Belfast and surrounding cities, such as Lisburn and Bangor, were larger than those in Northern Ireland’s west and their leadership structures more complicated. Both based at 6 Lisburn Road, the Belfast Branch and the Northern Ireland Central Council coordinated the delivery of supplies from London in 1968 and initial responses to violence in 1969.
Audio: Maura McPhilips describes the Troubles in Belfast and first aid at Agnes Street Methodist Church.
The community violence which began in Derry spread to Belfast in 1969, volunteer Maura McPhillips MBE led a relief centre and first aid post. Maura, interviewed for the project, was born in Co. Tyrone and raised Catholic, but the centre she was sent to was on the loyalist Shankill Road.
Maura embodied our fundamental principles, her commitment to Youth Cadets and relations with the Irish Red Cross was recognised and widely rejected. Maura passed away in 2023.
Across Belfast, the Red Cross were present throughout the conflict. Ambulance and first aid services were a vital lifeline. Our Stories – Our Times heard stories from Jim Bleakley about the Balmoral Show bombing in 1988.
Carolyn Forster and her response, carried out when not even on duty, to the Shankill Bombing in 1993. And the stories from several volunteers who dropped everything to provide first aid and establish a temporary creche after the Belvoir Bombing in 1992.
Audio: Caroline Forster describes her experience of the Shankill bombing.
The Omagh Bombing in 1998 was amongst the worst of the conflict, 29 people lost their lives. Branches of the Red Cross throughout the region responded.
Ambulances from Derry and Belfast arrived to support the emergency services, military, and locals. Volunteers from Derry supported first responders and provided stretcher teams at the site before being relieved by a crew from Belfast who supported families and victims at the relief centre.
At the centre we were busy updating the names of the missing and injured and advising relatives … As the evening progressed the relatives of the dead would be brought to a quiet area that was set aside for them … The four of us … stayed and talked and listened with them … The mother of one of the victims asked if the Red Cross volunteer would accompany them to the temporary morgue while they identified them. That started a trend and all but one family asked if we would go with them. … Quite daunting.
British Red Cross volunteer.
Audio: Maura McPhillips describes her experience at Omagh.
Volunteers’ efforts during the Troubles set the Red Cross in Northern Ireland apart from the rest of the British Red Cross, but the dedication of volunteers during the conflict embodied the best of our fundamental principles in a manner befitting unity and universality.
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