Question about the Hunger Strikers

Oraisteach · March 26, 2009, 04:56:10 PM

Can anyone tell me how those hunger strikers are doing who were taken off hunger strike when it ended? How are they physically/emotionally? Have many died?

Also, how do those strikers feel whose families took them off hunger strike when they lapsed into coma? I'd appreciate any insight.

aroundincircles · March 26, 2009, 04:59:48 PM

Matt devlin died fairly young man a couple years ago.

Doogie Browser · March 26, 2009, 05:00:30 PM

I know Pat (beag) McGeown died about 10 years ago and it was said it was because of the length of time he was on hunger strike, he was 40 odd when he died only.
Laurence McKeown spent 70 days on hunger strike (longer than most of the 10 dead strikers) and he is alive and well today. He has a book 'Nor meekly serve my time' which will give you an insight into their emotions etc.

Gaoth Dobhair Abu · March 26, 2009, 05:12:44 PM

Oraisteach, mightn't be much use, but have a read of this piece.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/mar/04/northernireland.northernireland

Oraisteach · March 26, 2009, 08:05:02 PM

Thank you all for the responses. Gaoth Dobhair, the article is just what I was seeking. Doogie, I'll try and get my hands on the book.

Fear ón Srath Bán · March 26, 2009, 08:50:07 PM

Jim Devine, aged 24 from Strabane, joined the Hunger Strike on Monday 21st September 1981, and he's doing OK these days, to the best of my knowledge. He was the 23rd on the list.

Yes I Would · March 26, 2009, 10:27:04 PM

Paddy Quinn from Belleeks is alive and well... His eyesight is frigged.
Doesnt stop him driving though.. Gonna cause a bad accident one of these days!!

Puckoon · March 27, 2009, 03:11:30 AM

Great bit of reading there gda. Thanks.

Onion Bag · March 27, 2009, 09:07:54 AM

Paddy Quinn from south Armagh lost his eyesight during the hungerstrike, his mother took him off it. he still about at the minute. i think he got the eyesight back in one eye

Minder · March 27, 2009, 09:17:41 AM

I wonder when they look at where Sinn Fein ended up would they think it was worth it.

Donagh · March 27, 2009, 09:42:36 AM

Quote from: Minder on March 27, 2009, 09:17:41 AM
I wonder when they look at where Sinn Fein ended up would they think it was worth it.

What has that got to do with anything?

Zapatista · March 27, 2009, 09:44:06 AM

Quote from: Minder on March 27, 2009, 09:17:41 AM
I wonder when they look at where Sinn Fein ended up would they think it was worth it.

Are you wondering if people who died think it was worth dying?

Minder · March 27, 2009, 09:45:41 AM

Quote from: Zapatista on March 27, 2009, 09:44:06 AM
Quote from: Minder on March 27, 2009, 09:17:41 AM
I wonder when they look at where Sinn Fein ended up would they think it was worth it.

Are you wondering if people who died think it was worth dying?

Did they all die?

Donagh · March 27, 2009, 09:48:16 AM

Quote from: Minder on March 27, 2009, 09:45:41 AM
Did they all die?

What has Sinn Fein in 2009 got to do with the five demands of 1981?

Zapatista · March 27, 2009, 09:49:57 AM

Quote from: Minder on March 27, 2009, 09:45:41 AM
Quote from: Zapatista on March 27, 2009, 09:44:06 AM
Quote from: Minder on March 27, 2009, 09:17:41 AM
I wonder when they look at where Sinn Fein ended up would they think it was worth it.

Are you wondering if people who died think it was worth dying?

Did they all die?

No but you can find out were the other stand if you have a look. There were more hungerstrikes than just the men of 1981 and many of them have made there opinions known.

Why would that be your question rather than - do they think it was worth it regarding what they were demanding and what they won and lost.