In the years following the civil rights march, later known as Bloody Sunday, there were many political and social repercussions for the people of Northern Ireland. It is debated that there were more political consequences because of the media attention that forced governments to act, for instance, the British Government setting up a Tribunal for Inquiry, to shift the blame. Nonetheless, some social consequences occurred as a result of the political measures put in place by the British and Irish governments. There were not as many social consequences because the very nature of the march was political, the purpose being to protest to the government about the policy of internment without trial. .
The civil right's march was held in the Bogside area of Derry, on the 30th of January, where the British army was sent to control the Irish protestors. They fired shots into the crowd and killed a total of 14 people. The British army's official statement was that the British Paratroopers had reacted to a threat of IRA gunmen and nail-bombs from suspected IRA members. They had told the Derry Journal on the 3rd of February, that they had seen a threat from the IRA in the crowd and had acted accordingly. The first real political consequence came from the British government's total denial of responsibility and led to the relationship between the British and Irish governments to hit an all time low.
Prior to the day, Sir Charles Warren, head of the Metropolitan Police had sent a letter to the Home Secretary calling for the British army to be prepared to stem any disturbances that might occur as a result of any of the civil rights marches. In his letter he stated that, "We have been in greater danger from the disorganised attacks by the criminal elements - This quote by Warren cannot be considered reliable as he had loyalties to the British army. As well as his motivation to repress any unrest in Northern Ireland which might cause problems for the British government, like bringing media attention onto some of the more unjust policies in their parliament.
