She was raised in Belfast. In January 1969, while a student at the New University of Ulster, Devlin joined a civil rights march from Belfast to Derry, organised by the People's Democracy. At Burntollet Bridge, a few miles from Derry, the march was attacked by loyalists.
She was born in Belfast. In January 1969, while a student at the New University of Ulster, Devlin participated in a civil rights march from Belfast to Derry, organized by People's Democracy. At Burntollet Bridge, which is near Derry, the march faced an attack by loyalists.