Provides a more comprehensive account of internment and assesses previously unexplored aspects of its use. Drawing on archival sources the high politics and intelligence surrounding the introduction of internment are considered and in doing so accepted narratives regarding the measure are challenged.

Introduction1 Prelude to internment2 High politics, intelligence and the introduction of internment3 Legacies of internment4 The evolution of ‘The Troubles’ outside of Belfast and Derry before internment 5 The evolution of ‘The Troubles’ outside of Belfast and Derry after internment 6 ConclusionBibliographyIndex

Beginning in August 1971, the British Army’s Operation Demetrius saw the arrest and imprisonment without trial of some 342 Northern Irish men, on suspicion of terrorist activity. These events would play a substantial role in shaping the conflict. This startling book draws back the curtain on the use of internment during the Troubles between 1971 and 1975. Drawing on archival sources, Martin McCleery offers a comprehensive account of internment and examines previously unexplored aspects of its use. The high politics and intelligence surrounding the practice are considered to establish that the quality of intelligence on both republican and loyalist paramilitaries was of a much better quality than previously thought. McCleery’s account also traces the evolution of the Troubles outside of Belfast and Derry/Londonderry between 1970 and 1972. A detailed study of four towns -- Lurgan, Dungannon, Newry and Enniskillen – reveals that the development of the conflict across the whole of Northern Ireland was certainly more gradual and possibly less inevitable than has been previously identified. This is the definitive work on one of the most controversial episodes in the history of the Northern Ireland conflict.

‘A serious and lucid analysis of one of the most controversial episodes in the history of the British state and army since the end of the war.’ Paul Bew, Emeritus Professor, Queen’s University Belfast and author of Ireland: The Politics of Enmity‘A forensic analysis of the political and operational consequences of internment without trial in Northern Ireland. McCleery has marshalled a wealth of original sources and delivered a valuable contribution to the literature on Northern Ireland’s Troubles.’ Edward Burke, Assistant Professor in International Relations, University of Nottingham‘Well-researched and well-argued, this is the go-to book on internment.’ Samantha Newbery, Reader in International Security, University of Salford, Manchester‘Martin McCleery has produced a brilliant panoramic view of the policy of internment introduced in Northern Ireland in August of 1971, based on superb research, clever analysis and careful thought. This is a tour de force.’ Margaret O’ Callaghan, Reader in History and Politics, School of History Anthropology Philosophy and Politics, Queen’s University Belfast