Republicans remember Bobby Sands MP

Bobby became an international figure who to this day continues to inspire

OFFICER COMMANDING IRA political prisoners, H-Blocks, Long Kesh. Born 9th March 1954, died 5th May 1981 after 66 days on hunger strike for the restoration of political status.

Twenty-seven-year-old Bobby Sands, after enduring years of solitary confinement and beatings, led the 1981 Hunger Strike, during which he was elected as MP for the constituency of Fermanagh & South Tyrone.

Bobby became an international figure who to this day continues to inspire not just Irish republicans in their pursuit of freedom from British rule but people around the world struggling for their rights.

There were white-line pickets, vigils and events held across republican areas of Belfast, in Dublin and other places yesterday in memory of Bobby Sands, who died 31 years ago.

Events over the weekend included a parade in Tyrone by Dromore Memorial Committee. In 1981, Dromore was then part of the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone which elected Bobby as its Member of Parliament that April when he was 40 days on his hunger strike.

On Sunday night in the Andersonstown Social Club, prominent republican Gerry Kelly (himself a former hunger striker) will be giving the annual Bobby Sands Lecture.

Also on Sunday night, in the Felons’ Club, there will be another opportunity to see ‘1981’, a drama written and performed by Tony Devlin and produced by Brassneck Theatre Company. The play starts at 8pm.

– Bobby Sands Trust