Election

Burntollet effectively signalled the end of Northern Ireland's 1968. O'Neill, facing mounting pressure and criticism for his response, decided to call an election for February 1969. The PD's decision to put forward candidates, and increasing dissent from within Unionism, marked the end for O'Neill who was unable to reconcile competing demands and resigned in April 1968. Government struggled to find a political solution that would arrest the slide towards further conflict.

The February election effectively marked the end of Northern Ireland's 1986. The next six months would see tensions mount and the arrival of British trooped in August 1969. Some 50 years on, the question remains as to whether or not this period represented an opportunity missed.