Upwards of 25 Republican Ex-Prisoners returned to Armagh Women’s Gaol to mark the 30th Anniversary of the 1980 Hunger Strike.
Women from across the Six Counties reunited today to mark this historic event in Republican history. They will be joined by former Armagh Chaplain Fr Raymond Murray and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew.
Speaking afterwards former Hunger Striker Mary Doyle said;
“This is obviously an emotional time for Republicans the length and breath of Ireland and beyond as we mark 30 years since the 1980/81 Hunger Strikes.
It was a very humbling experience for the women POWs, who were imprisoned at the time, to come together here today and mark this important occasion.
When political status was withdrawn from republican prisoners in 1976, republican women in Armagh Prison reacted with a work strike and other acts of resistance. Punishment included strip searches, raids, beatings and the loss of educational opportunities and remission.
In February 1980 the prison administration attacked the women political prisoners, assaulting them and withdrawing toilet facilities forcing the women to embark on a no-wash protest; in response we were locked in our cells for 23 hours a day as punishment.
After seven Comrades in Long Kesh embarked on a hunger strike on October 27, 1980, they were joined by myself, Mairéad Nugent and Mairéad Farrell on December 1.
We felt it vitally important to return here today to remember those times and the journey we have travelled on since then and to take the opportunity to remember those comrades and friends who took a stand during the darkest days of struggle and are no longer here with us.”
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