FOLLOWING the eruption of the conflict in the Six Counties in 1969, the Fianna Fáil government of Jack Lynch initially expressed cautious support for the plight of nationalists. By late 1972, however, his Justice Minister, Des O’Malley, was introducing repressive legislation which saw hundreds of republicans imprisoned and the jails in the 26 Counties became a political battleground. Free article

Book review - ‘Robert Barton – A Remarkable Revolutionary’ by Chris Lawlor. Published by History Press Free article

First published in An Phoblacht/Republican News, Thursday, 23 February 1995 - Over the years, many hunger strikes embarked on by republican POWs have ended in the deaths of some of the participants. The fast which began in Mountjoy Jail in February 1940 was no exception. Free article

The death occurred on Friday 21 February of Brendan McFarlane, who was a Republican leader inside and outside the prisons, known and respected by generations of activists across Ireland and beyond. ‘Bik’ was an inspirational and well-loved comrade and his passing will be widely mourned. Free article

First published in 'An Phoblacht/Republican News', 9 February 1995, The IRA’s 1974 Christmas ceasefire, called following talks earlier in December between republican leaders and a number of Protestant clergymen, led to one of the longest and most controversial Truces during the IRA’s campaign. Free article

Gerry Adams penned a poignant tribute to his friend and comrade Ted Howell which was published in the 'Irish News' this week. Free article

The 40th anniversary commemoration of Volunteer Seán McIlvenna will held on Sunday 15 December in Blackwatertown, County Armagh. Free article

15 OCTOBER marks the 50th anniversary of the burning of Long Kesh camp in 1974 by republican POWs in protest at conditions and ill-treatment. In an article originally published in the November 1994 issue of Captive Voice, a magazine produced by republican POWs, former prisoner JOE DOHERTY, from north Belfast, recalls that historic act of resistance by republicans among the 1,500 prisoners and internees. Free article

Book Review by Mícheál Mac Donncha: ‘Policy of Deceit – Britain and Palestine 1914-1939’ by Peter Shambrook Free article

From midnight on Wednesday 31 August 1994 the Irish Republican Army commenced what it described as “a complete cessation of all military operations”. The IRA said it was taking this momentous step “to enhance the democratic peace process and underline our definitive commitment to its success”. Free article

‘The Last Disco - the Story of the Stardust Tragedy’ by Seán Murray, Christine Behan and Nicky Ryan. Published by Eriu. Free article

ONE of the most successful and spectacular escapes during the present struggle for freedom was the mass breakout by 19 republican prisoners from Portlaoise Prison in the summer of 1974.

In November 1973, ten days after the dramatic escape of three republicans by helicopter from Mountjoy Jail, all republican prisoners in Mountjoy and the Curragh Camp were moved to Portlaoise Prison.... Free article

Thomas McElwee, at the age of 23, was the tenth man to join the 1981 Hunger Strike. From Bellaghy in south Derry, he was imprisoned in 1976 after a premature bomb explosion in which he lost an eye. Free article

IRA Volunteer Kieran Doherty, TD for Cavan/Monaghan, died at 7:15pm on Sunday 2 August 1981, the day after Kevin Lynch’s death. Kieran had joined the hunger strike one day before Kevin Lynch and survived one day longer. Free article

He spent 71 days on hunger strike from 23 May 1981. He died on 1 August 1981. Free article