1981
The hunger strike of 1981 was one of, if not the most influential periods in the IRA's long campaign to remove Britains' roll in irish politics. It not only thwarted Britain's plans to criminalise the IRA prisoners in the H-Blocks, but concentrated world wide media attention on the war in Ireland, paving the way for Sinn Fein's entrance into the political arena and the electoral successes that followed.
Ten men, ten Irish Republican volunteers paid the ultimate sacrifice during those summer months of 1981. Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O'Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Tom McElwee, Kieran Doherty and Mickey Devine.Their names are written on the hearts and minds of every Irish Republican in Ireland and abroad.
THE FIVE DEMANDS :
Ten men, ten Irish Republican volunteers paid the ultimate sacrifice during those summer months of 1981. Bobby Sands, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O'Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Tom McElwee, Kieran Doherty and Mickey Devine.Their names are written on the hearts and minds of every Irish Republican in Ireland and abroad.
THE FIVE DEMANDS :
- The right not to wear a prison uniform;
- The right not to do prison work;
- The right of free association with other prisoners, and to organise educational and recreational pursuits;
- The right to one visit, one letter and one parcel per week;
- Full restoration of remission lost through the protest.