Former prisoner to launch new book in Carrickmore venue

A FORMER prisoner who was a key worker behind the scenes during the burgeoning peace process has now written a book chronicling his life experiences.

Jake MacSiacais – who was a cellmate of Bobby Sands – has written the autobiography with the original and novel title of ‘Surfing into life on a Bathboard’.

The book launch takes place at the Charm Inn in Carrickmore on Saturday, August 27 at 7pm.

It’s the latest publication providing an insight into the Troubles and the peace process which followed by some of those most closely involved.

Local Sinn Fein politician, Barry McElduff, who has known Jake MacSiacias since the two were students together in Belfast in the early eighties, encouraged people to attend the launch.

The event will also include a discussion on the book, its title, content and the background to Jake’s experiences.

Danny Morrison, the former Sinn Fein publicity director and author, said the memoir could make for uncomfortable reading because of its honesty and intimacy and the laying bare of a life lived during one of the longest-running conflicts of the late 20th century.

“Jake played an important part as a Republican spokesperson, grabbling with the compromises involved in ceasefires and peacebuilding,” Mr Morrison said.

“But that is its very strength, that and the humour of an acute observer with a very sharp mind, who has no time for can’t and does not bark at candour.”