Derry Housing Action Committee
Encyclopedia
The Derry Housing Action Committee (DHAC), was an organisation formed in 1968 in Derry
, Northern Ireland
to protest about housing conditions and provision.
The DHAC was formed in February 1968 by two socialists
and four tenants in response to the plight of the homeless and those tenants in the city who suffered under "Rachmanite" landlords. Named after the Dublin Housing Action Committee
, the DHAC's initial actions (March 1968) involved disrupting meetings of the Unionist-dominated Londonderry Corporation to protest at the lack of housing provision in the city.
The Derry Housing Action Committee and its sister organisation Derry Unemployed Action Committee had many members and supporters from the James Connolly Republican Club, trade unionists and labour party members, amongst its activists were Eamonn Melaugh
, Eamonn McCann
, Fionnbarra O' Dochartaigh (Finbar O'Doherty), J.J. O’Hara (brother of hunger striker Patsy O'Hara
), Labour activist Gerry Mallet amongst others.
In May 1968 DHAC held another protest at the Guildhall, Derry
and on 22 June staged a protest by blocking the Lecky Road in the Bogside
area. After June 1968, when a caravan home
was used to block a street, the DHAC's actions became more militant. On 3 July 1968, as part of a series of protests against housing conditions in Derry, DHAC held a sit-down protest on the newly opened second deck of the Craigavon Bridge
in the city.
Neil O’Donnell and Roddy O’Carlin were jailed for a month for refusal to keep the peace.
On 27 August 1968, DHAC organised another protest in the Guildhall's council chamber. Immediately afterwards Eamonn Melaugh
telephoned the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association
(NICRA) and invited them to organise a march in Derry.
Together with NICRA, they organised the 5 October 1968 civil rights demonstration in Derry
, whose banning and violent suppression by the Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC) was one of the catalysts of the so-called 'Troubles'.
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"...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
to protest about housing conditions and provision.
The DHAC was formed in February 1968 by two socialists
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
and four tenants in response to the plight of the homeless and those tenants in the city who suffered under "Rachmanite" landlords. Named after the Dublin Housing Action Committee
Dublin Housing Action Committee
The Dublin Housing Action Committee was a 1960s protest against housing shortages in Ireland's capital city.It arose from a serious shortage of affordable housing, combined with a large number of properties standing empty. It also functioned as a way for a broad range of left-wingers in the...
, the DHAC's initial actions (March 1968) involved disrupting meetings of the Unionist-dominated Londonderry Corporation to protest at the lack of housing provision in the city.
The Derry Housing Action Committee and its sister organisation Derry Unemployed Action Committee had many members and supporters from the James Connolly Republican Club, trade unionists and labour party members, amongst its activists were Eamonn Melaugh
Eamonn Melaugh
Eamonn Melaugh from Derry is a socialist, campaigner and political activist, he was born on 4 July 1933. He married Mary McLaughlin in 1956 and they had 4 daughters and 7 sons....
, Eamonn McCann
Eamonn McCann
Eamonn McCann is an Irish journalist, author and political activist.-Life:McCann was born and has lived most of his life in Derry. He was educated at St. Columb's College in the city. He is prominently featured in the documentary film The Boys of St...
, Fionnbarra O' Dochartaigh (Finbar O'Doherty), J.J. O’Hara (brother of hunger striker Patsy O'Hara
Patsy O'Hara
Patsy O'Hara was an Irish republican hunger striker and member of the Irish National Liberation Army .He was born in Bishop Street, Derry, Northern Ireland. O'Hara joined Na Fianna Éireann in 1970, and in 1971 his brother Sean was interned in Long Kesh. In late 1971, he was shot and wounded by a...
), Labour activist Gerry Mallet amongst others.
In May 1968 DHAC held another protest at the Guildhall, Derry
Guildhall, Derry
The Guildhall in Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, is a building in which the elected members of Derry City Council meet. It was built in 1890....
and on 22 June staged a protest by blocking the Lecky Road in the Bogside
Bogside
The Bogside is a neighbourhood outside the city walls of Derry, Northern Ireland. The area has been a focus point for many of the events of The Troubles, from the Battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday in the 1960s and 1970s...
area. After June 1968, when a caravan home
Travel trailer
A travel trailer or caravan is towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a tent . It provides the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation, without relying on a motel or hotel, and enables them to stay in places...
was used to block a street, the DHAC's actions became more militant. On 3 July 1968, as part of a series of protests against housing conditions in Derry, DHAC held a sit-down protest on the newly opened second deck of the Craigavon Bridge
Craigavon Bridge
The Craigavon Bridge is one of three bridges in Derry, Northern Ireland. It crosses the River Foyle further south than the Foyle Bridge and Peace Bridge. It is one of only a few double-decker road bridges in Europe. It was named after Lord Craigavon, the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.The...
in the city.
Neil O’Donnell and Roddy O’Carlin were jailed for a month for refusal to keep the peace.
On 27 August 1968, DHAC organised another protest in the Guildhall's council chamber. Immediately afterwards Eamonn Melaugh
Eamonn Melaugh
Eamonn Melaugh from Derry is a socialist, campaigner and political activist, he was born on 4 July 1933. He married Mary McLaughlin in 1956 and they had 4 daughters and 7 sons....
telephoned the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association
Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association
The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association was an organisation which campaigned for equal civil rights for the all the people in Northern Ireland during the late 1960s and early 1970s...
(NICRA) and invited them to organise a march in Derry.
Together with NICRA, they organised the 5 October 1968 civil rights demonstration in 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"...
, whose banning and violent suppression by 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) was one of the catalysts of the so-called 'Troubles'.