resident in Northern Ireland without a permit (1946)

[Murrell]

Why would a person from southern Ireland be charged in 1946 with failure to produce identity card and resident in Northern Ireland without a permit.
There were other charges, assault disorderly behaviour. It's the permit thingy that intrigues me.
Do l assume if you had the correct papers and were law abiding you could move between north and south? 

[aghadowey]

The big clue is "resident in Northern Ireland." From 1939 until 1952 people resident in the United Kingdom, which included Northern Ireland, had to be registered and carry an identy card. Failure to do so, as in this case, was a crime.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Registration_Act_1939

[Murrell]

Thanks for your reply. I just found it interesting that folk had to have a permit.
So can l assume if you got a permit you could move around. As well as being well behaved.

[Murrell]

Iv just 're read what you said. Is this because of the war years ?
Sorry if lm coming across a bit dense, Sunday afternoon bank holiday & glass of wine not a good combination lol

[kingskerswell]

Murrell,
It sounds like an excellent combination!

Regards

[CarolA3]

So can l assume if you got a permit you could move around. As well as being well behaved.

As aghadowey says, identity cards had to be carried by everyone in the UK during WW2 and for a few years afterwards.  I was born shortly before the cards (and rationing) were abolished, and I still have mine.  It simply shows my name, address, date of birth, and registration number.  No photo, even on adult cards, so really didn't prove anyone's identity

So yes, armed with my official government-issued card, I was indeed free to move around (only on the floor at that age), and of course I was terrifically well behaved (not having discovered the joys of being naughty)

Carry on enjoying your long weekend

Carol

[Elwyn Soutter]

The underlying issue, during a time of war, was that Northern Ireland shared an open border with the neutral Republic of Ireland. The UK authorities were understandably anxious that enemy spies etc could sneak into a part of the UK without detection. Part of the measures to counteract that was a requirement for the population to have a National identity card, or an aliens registration card.

For the same reason there was a border control on ferries and flights between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. So you needed to show a passport (or your National Identity card) to travel on the ferry from Larne to Stranraer, or to fly from Belfast to London etc, between 1939 and 1951, or thereabouts.

I am not entirely sure what the situation was for a citizen of the Republic of Ireland travelling to Northern Ireland but to travel to Britain, for part of the war, an Irish passport and a visa (or certain specified alternative documentation) was required. There was a passport control at Holyhead, Liverpool etc to check the documentation.

[sally harris]

As I recall the numbers on our identity card were used as our no's for the National Health service

[Murrell]

Wow lm impressive with all the details you lovely Rootchat people have given me. Many many thanks.
Oh by they way the guy had an extra 2 months added to the sentence for lack of I D.