Large crowd in Ballina for hunger strike commemoration

SENATOR Rose Conway Walsh welcomed a large crowd to Ballina today for the 2017 National Hunger Strike Commemoration. 

People from all parts of Ireland gathered in Ballina to mark the 36th anniversary of the 1981 hunger strike in which 10 young men died in H-Blocks of Long Kesh.

The commemoration also marked the sacrifice of Mayo hunger strikers Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg, who died in English prisons in the 1970s, as well as that of another Mayo man, Seán ‘Jack' McNeela, and Tony D'arcy from Co. Galway, both of whom died on hunger strike in 1940.

Said Senator Conway Walsh said: “We are deeply honoured to welcome to Mayo the families of those who have died on hunger strike down through the decades. It is because of your sacrifices and your endurance that I, and hundreds of thousands like me, continue our struggle for Irish freedom and the reunification of our country.

“We can never truly repay the debt of gratitude owed to you and your loved ones but together we will work to make their vision a reality.â€

The Erris-based senator added that they were remembering today 'ár cara mór agus comrádaí' Martin McGuinness.

She said: “Martin, with Uachtarain Shinn Féin, Gerry Adams, and others who are here today led us on the pathway to peace. I want to thank Bernie and the McGuinness Family for lending us Martin for all those years. We miss him greatly and will continue to work to honour his memory by striving to deliver a 32-county republic based on equality, fairness and opportunity for all.â€

In remembering those who died in Long Kesh in 1981 as well as Gaughan, Stagg, McNeela and D'Arcy, Senator Conway Walsh said that like all political prisoners, they did not go on hunger strike to die.

“These young men went on hunger strike because their bodies and minds were the only weapons available to them against the criminalisation of the struggle for Irish freedom and unity,†she said. “So today we gather here to commemorate, reflect and respect.â€