Irish political prisoners confined in the infamous H-Blocks of Long Kesh commenced a hunger strike on October 27, 1980, 40 years ago this week.

The hunger strike was to continue until their demands for political status and for an end to British torture were met, or until death.

It began with seven republican volunteers: Brendan Hughes, the IRA commanding officer in the prison led the other six strikers: Sean McKenna, Tommy McKearney, Tommy McFeely, Leo Green, and Raymond McCartney, all of the IRA, and John Nixon of the INLA.

On December 1st, three female prisoners join the strike in Armagh prison: Mary Doyle, Mairéad Farrell and Mairéad Nugent. 30 more republican prisoners would join later.

Despite being deceived into ending prematurely after 53 days, it set the scene for a second hunger strike the following March, led by Bobby Sands. The first hunger strike announcement was made in a statement which is reprinted in full below.

 

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