[ирваго]

As the hunger strikes continued, more men in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh lined up to take the place of their comrades who died.

First Bobby Sands died then he was followed by Francis Hughes, Patsy O'Hara, Raymond McCreesh, Joe McDonnell and Martin Hurson.

The British government was determined that political prisoners would be treated as criminals but they faced a very committed group of women and men who had spent years on the blanket and no-wash protests. Thousands of people attended the funerals and protests took place in every city, town and village throughout Ireland as well as places in Britain, North America, Australia and many other countries.

Bobby Sands was elected to the British House of Commons in April and many thought this was a turning point for the prisoners but unfortunately Thatcher refused to move.

In June Kieran Doherty and Paddy Agnew (who wasn't on hunger strike) were elected to Leinster House. Joe McDonnell narrowly missed being elected. The Free State government never intervened and as Kieran Doherty and Kevin Lynch lay in the prison hospital their families, comrades, friends and many supporters became concerned for their well being.

Morale amongst the prisoners was low but they were very proud of their comrades. On the 1st and 2nd of August Kieran Doherty and Kevin Lynch passed away.

Like their brave comrades who died before and after them they will never be forgotten and their names will be spoken of in years to come.

@темы: история конфликта, Ирлаодия