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.
Born in Belfast, Devlin attended the New University of Ulster and joined a civil rights procession from Belfast to Derry in January 1969, organized by People's Democracy. At Burntollet Bridge, which is close to Derry, the march encountered an assault by loyalists.