1981 HUNGER STRIKE 30th ANNIVERSARY | THE PRISONERS FACE THATCHER’S INTRANSIGENCE

May – A traumatic month

Callous, vindictive and intransigent: British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

MAY 1981 was one the most traumatic months in modern Irish republican history with the deaths on hunger strike of Bobby Sands MP, Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh and Patsy O’Hara.
May 1981 was evidence of the callous, vindictive and intransigent approach that the regime of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was to take in reaction to the just demands of the prisoners for the restoration of political status.
May 8th also saw Joe McDonnell join the Hunger Strike and, on May 14th, Brendan McLaughlin, was compelled to end his time on the Hunger Strike after 13 days when he was diagnosed as suffering from a perforated ulcer and internal bleeding and told he would die within four or five days if he continued.
On May 5th, the world stood aghast as the Member of Parliament for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, an Irish republican, was allowed to die on hunger strike in a British prison by a British Prime Minister and the British Parliament.
Bobby Sands (27), Belfast, died on May 5th 1981 after 66 days on hunger strike.
On May 9th, Joe McDonnell of Belfast joined the Hunger Strike.
Days later, one of the most formidable freedom fighters in the annals of republican history made the supreme sacrifice when Francis Hughes passed away.
Francis Hughes (25), south Derry, died on May 12th 1981 after 59 days on hunger strike.
Raymond McCreesh (24), Camlough, south Armagh, died on May 21st 1981 alongside Patsy O’Hara, Derry City, both of them after 61 days on the hunger strike they had joined together on March 22nd.
In the 26 Counties, a general election campaign got underway in which several H-Blocks and Armagh prisoners were candidates.
Amidst all this turmoil, three more young republicans displayed immense courage by joining the Hunger Strike to press home the prisoners’ demands.
Taking the place of the late Raymond McCreesh was Kieran Doherty (25), west Belfast, who went on hunger strike on May 22nd
Kevin Lynch was the replacement for his comrade the late Patsy O’Hara, joining the Hunger Strike on May 23rd, two days before his 25th birthday.
The replacement for Brendan McLaughlin was Martin Hurson (24), Cappagh, County Tyrone, who joined the Hunger Strike on May 29th.