Sister Sarah Clarke

Sister Sarah Clarke died on 4 February at the age of 82. For over 30 years she was a tireless campaigner for the rights and dignity of Irish prisoners being held in English jails. The life and work of this modest nun, with such a love for others, has been felt by all those connected to the Irish prison struggle and others whose lives she touched throughout her long and fulfilling life.

Sister Sarah belonged to the La Sainte Union order. At the age of 20 after her schooling at the Sisters of Mercy in Eyrecourt and St Raphael's she entered her vocation in Killashee, Co Kildare, and trained as a teacher at Carysfort Training College in Dublin.

In 1970, she joined the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. Recognising the plight of Catholics in the Six Counties who had suffered 50 years of systematic discrimination and oppression she was determined to make a difference to those affected directly by the conflict. Almost immediately, her commitment to civil rights and cause of Irish prisoners became inexhaustible.

Sister Sarah was steadfast in her support for the Birmingham Six, the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven. Each of the campaigns touched Sister Sarah and she became great friends with Guiseppe Conlon, who died an innocent man in a British prison due to the vindictiveness of the British Home Office.

At times she stood up against people even within the religious community, but she was very determined and would have given her opinion and stood over it with both friend and foe. She was afraid of nobody and I remember her facing down warders, politicians and media alike. As she pursued what she believed to be right, she was undaunted by any law or system of bureaucracy that would hinder her work of compassion.

Following the introduction of the Prevention of Terrorism Act in 1974, she challenged the injustices perpetrated under it. As countless members of the Irish community in Britain were rounded up by the Special Branch, Sister Sarah arranged legal representation, prison visits and did everything in her power to aid the relatives of prisoners from Ireland to gain access to the prisons. She would often meet family members at the airport, arrange accommodation, feed them and chauffeur them wherever they had to go.

Sister Sarah will be sadly missed not only by Irish prisoners but also by the families of those held in English jails. With her efforts, the horrific experience for those held in England and their families was made bearable. She brought hope and light and at times a great humour into all our lives.

I was probably one of the first Irish political prisoners she ever visited and I still remember her arriving after her car had broken down, her hands covered in black engine oil, apologising for being late as she had tried to fix it herself. In a way it epitomised her life. She would ask for help for anyone in need but would not wait for help if she could get the job done faster or better herself.

Her dedication was such that she refused to retire. Although already in her 50s by the time we met, she displayed the energy of someone 20 years younger. She lived out her Christian vocation and practiced her heartfelt beliefs throughout her life.

BY GERRY KELLY