1981 hunger Striker to speak at Carrickmore meeting

A former hunger striker who spent 55 days on the 1981 strike will address a public meeting in Carrickmore next Thursday evening at 7pm.

Pat Sheehan, who spent 18 years in jail, is now a Sinn Féin MLA and the party’s spokesperson on Education.  During the talk on Thursday, Pat will relive his experiences of taking part in the 1981 hunger strike when 10 of his friends and comrades died in their campaign for recognition as political prisoners.

Martin Hurson from Galbally was the sixth man to die on the strike and this weekend marks the 43rd anniversary of Bobby Sands who was the first to die.

Mr Sheehan spent 55 days without food and was on the brink of death when the hunger strike was called off in October 1981.

He was eventually released in 1998 as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

The talk will be hosted by local MLA Declan Mc Aleer and speaking ahead of the event Mr McAleer said, “Pat has a very compelling story to tell about his years on the blanket and no-wash protest in the H Blocks which culminated in the deaths of his 10 comrades on the 1981 hunger strike.

“I invite anyone with an interest in this period of our recent history to come along to the Carrickmore office this Thursday evening at 7pm on to ask questions and hear at first hand from someone who took part in the 1981 hunger strike”.