« Gardai Traffic Corps Take Advantage Of Riverfest
[In pictures] Down by the Canal »

In Brief

1981 Hunger Strikers commemoration

Image: Commemorating the 1981 hunger strikers, David O’Connor (UL Sinn Féin) reads a poem watched by Maurice Quinlivan, Padraig Malone and Brendan Moloney

1981 Hunger strikers commemorated.

Members of Limerick Sinn Fein gathered to commemorate the deaths of Bobby Sands and nine other IRA members who died as part of the Hunger Strike in 1981 in protest at their membership being refused political prisoner status.

The commemoration held today, the anniversary of Bobby Sands’ death, was chaired by Maurice Quinlivan. Jenny Loughman read the names of those who died, David O’Connor of UL Sinn Fein read a poem entitled “The Rhythem of Time” while local party chairperson Padraig Malone gave a brief oration. The commemoration took place at the 1916 monument on Sarsfield Bridge.

Two to go before court on Tuesday

Two men are to go before the district court this morning after they were arrested over the weekend. The two were detained by Gardai as part of their investigations into ongoing criminal feuding in the city. The men are aged 20 and 23 years of age. RTE News has more

Busy day for emergency services

Emergency services had a busy day on Monday after a number of incidents took place in Adare and Newport.

Up to ten cars were damaged and a number of individuals were injured on the N21. None of the injuries are said to be life threatening. Meanwhile the costguard rescued an 11 year old boy from the Clare glens after it is believed he fell down a ravine. The boy was absailing at the time. He was taken to the Midwest regional hospital in Limerick for treatment. His condition is not said to be life threatening. Newswire.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 12:32 am and is filed under All. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Special category status or being classed as political prisoners was not granted though a number of the five demands were agreed to. The prisoners didn't get political status and it is spin to suggest that the entire effort was worthwhile for the people involved. I would agree that it takes considerable determination to strave yourself to death. Determination can serve positive and negative outcomes it's presence doesn't reflect on the outcome though. A lot of people reckon Maggie was very determined too, that don't make her a good person.
  • starkie
    im not very politicakl but bobby sands and comrades did achieve their goal which was to be classed as political prisoners, i knew thatcher didnt give in straight away but they were given stas a few weeks after they stopped . one thing i will say and i would say same if it was loyalists ion hunger strike, it sure takes some determination and guts to starve yourself to death.
  • MM, in case you didn't know the hunger strikers didn't achieve political status. Claiming Bobby Sands as the impetus for the peace process is laughable, their deaths had an impact on Irish history only in that it prolonged the troubles by making people think that the IRA were on to something when they were in fact leading people down a cul de sac.

    As for "Bobby Sand’s successful campaign led the way for Sinn Fein representatives to take public office in the North and South of Ireland." SF were opposed to taking up public office at the time and to suggest that his election lead to them doing so later flies in face of stated SF policy at the time. What next was the election of FF in 1977 a victory for fiscal responsibility or that votes for Strom Thurmond in 1948 were votes for racial integration?

    Bobby Sands made a choice, and it was a bad one in my view.
  • jombob
    [Mod Edit] And the fact that you posted the same comment after it was removed once shows a lack of intelligience.
  • Mickey's mickey
    Dan Sulivan

    I suggest you show a little more reverence to the subject of this discussion. Bobby Sands gave his life so the prisoners of war in British and Irish jails could hold on to their dignity. His sacrifice made a significant impact on Irish history and was the genesis of the peace process that is celebrated today. Unlike your bid for election Bobby Sand’s successful campaign led the way for Sinn Fein representatives to take public office in the North and South of Ireland.

    Before he died, after 64 days on hunger strike, Bobby Sands and his comrades spent many years on the blanket protest. They went through years of torture, humiliation and deprivation. Many men and women still suffer from there time.

    Let us acknowledge our martyrs in peace. Mind your manners.
  • I'm sure some wag is going to say those lads in SF won't let the grass grow under their feet, oh hang on.
  • Shannaboley
    Are those flower baskets I see hanging on the bridge, nice.
  • starkie
    dreamers, shinnors
  • jimbob
    [Removed comment] ... Personal abuse.

    Squid
  • john wayne
    What a fantastic turnout!
  • MM, I wasn't thinking it was a spelling mistake - I thought it might be some interesting poetic device. "The Rhy Them of Time", this Them of Time could be like Sapphire and Steel patrolling the time line ensuring continuity of the republican vision, and they could be very wry indeed with a cold dry wit.
  • Mickey's mickey
    Could this major fait pas be corrected?

    Are we going to see Dan Sullivan pointing out every spelling mistake on this blogg? If so I am fuoked! Why not co-opt him on as an editor to sort out the spelling issues?
  • Seriously, “The Rhythem of Time”?
blog comments powered by Disqus