Derry Citizens Defence Association
Encyclopedia
The Derry Citizens' Defence Association (DCDA), was an organisation set up in July 1969 in response to a perceived threat to the nationalist
community of Derry
in connection with the annual parade of the Apprentice Boys of Derry
on 12 August. This followed clashes with the Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC) in January and April 1969, which resulted in widespread violence. It played a prominent role in co-ordinating the area's residents in the Battle of the Bogside
, and was the effective government of the self-declared Free Derry
from August to October 1969. Its leaders included Seán Keenan
, Paddy Doherty
and Johnnie White
. Keenan and White were well-known republicans
.
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
community of Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
in connection with the annual parade of the Apprentice Boys of Derry
Apprentice Boys of Derry
The Apprentice Boys of Derry is a Protestant fraternal society with a worldwide membership of over 80,000, founded in 1814. They are based in the city of Derry, Northern Ireland. However, there are Clubs and branches across Ireland, Great Britain and further afield...
on 12 August. This followed clashes with the Royal Ulster Constabulary
Royal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
(RUC) in January and April 1969, which resulted in widespread violence. It played a prominent role in co-ordinating the area's residents in the Battle of the Bogside
Battle of the Bogside
The Battle of the Bogside was a very large communal riot that took place during 12–14 August 1969 in Derry, Northern Ireland. The fighting was between residents of the Bogside area and the Royal Ulster Constabulary .The rioting erupted after the RUC attempted to disperse Irish nationalists who...
, and was the effective government of the self-declared Free Derry
Free Derry
Free Derry was a self-declared autonomous nationalist area of Derry, Northern Ireland, between 1969 and 1972. Its name was taken from a sign painted on a gable wall in the Bogside in January 1969 which read, “You are now entering Free Derry"...
from August to October 1969. Its leaders included Seán Keenan
Seán Keenan
Seán Keenan Aeneas Bonner. Retrieved 2008-03-01 was an Irish republican from Derry, Northern Ireland.Keenan was interned without trial on three occasions: 1940–1945, 1957–1961, and 9 August 1971 – 27 April 1972. He spent a total of 15 years in jail despite never being convicted of an offence...
, Paddy Doherty
Paddy Doherty
Patrick Doherty is a former activist in Derry, Northern Ireland.As vice-chairman of the Derry Citizens Defence Association Doherty played a major role in the events of August 1969 which culminated in the Battle of the Bogside, and was a leading figure in Free Derry in the years following its...
and Johnnie White
Johnnie White (Irish republican)
John White was Officer Commanding the Official Irish Republican Army in Derry, Northern Ireland and later Adjutant General of the Irish National Liberation Army...
. Keenan and White were well-known republicans
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
.