What is the truth behind the hunger strike?

Statement from Kevin Mc Quillan, PRO, Ard Comhairle Republican Network for Unity;
This year marks the 28th anniversary of the 1981 Hunger-Strike. A year that saw the deaths of ten courageous Volunteers from the ranks of the INLA and PIRA.

The Hunger Strike was the culmination of five years of protesting against the policy of the British Government to criminalise the Republican struggle, through the criminalisation of Republican prisoners.

The 1981 Hunger Strike period, was a very formative time in the history of the Republican struggle and there are many lessons that we can learn about the duplicitous nature of British involvement in Ireland. However, in order to learn those lessons it is important that Republicans debate and analyse that period in an open and candid fashion. To this end the Republican Network for Unity are hosting a debate “What is the truth behind the Hunger-Strike?”

This is to be held in the Gasyard Community Centre, Brandywell Derry City, Saturday May 23rd, 7:00pm. The purpose of this debate is to dispel the confusion around recent claims and counter claims about the events of 1981, not to allocate culpability or blame. Responsibility for the deaths of the ten brave Volunteers lies with the British government and no one else. This debate is to insure that we learn from our history, and to this end the following panellists have been invited. Richard O’ Rawe (prisoners PRO), Willie Gallagher (former Blanketman), Gerald Hodgkinson (former Blanketman, Hunger Striker), Bik Mc Farlane (former Blanketman, Officer Commanding PIRA prisoners), Danny Morrison ( one of the prisoners representatives), Brendan Duddy (go between the British and PIRA), Eamonn Mc Cann (Political activist, Journalist), Liam Clarke (Journalist) Family members of the Hunger strikers will also be in attendance.