On the 39th anniversary of his death a 2012 tribute to Bobby Sands from a former cell mate, Colm Scullion, which offers a window on the human person behind the iconography.
It is hard to believe that it is thirty nine years, his wee gaisun must be over fourty now. It is harder to believe that the then UK Taoiseach let another Deputy die on Hunger Strike. God bless Bobby, Francis, Ray, Patsey, Joe, Martin, Kieran, Kevin, Tom (Frances' cousin) and Mickey.
Former IRA volunteer and ex-prisoner, spent 18 years in Long Kesh, 4 years on the blanket and no-wash/no work protests which led to the hunger strikes of the 80s. Completed PhD at Queens upon release from prison. Left the Republican Movement at the endorsement of the Good Friday Agreement, and went on to become a journalist. Co-founder of The Blanket, an online magazine that critically analyzed the Irish peace process. Lead researcher for the Belfast Project, an oral history of the Troubles.
A very interesting and, at times, humourous recollection.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe that it is thirty nine years, his wee gaisun must be over fourty now. It is harder to believe that the then UK Taoiseach let another Deputy die on Hunger Strike.
ReplyDeleteGod bless Bobby, Francis, Ray, Patsey, Joe, Martin, Kieran, Kevin, Tom (Frances' cousin) and Mickey.