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Bobby Sands: An Cumann Cabhrach Biography of 1981
Ireland - Marcella32 - Tuesday, April 12th, 2005 : goo
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The profiles of the hunger strikers as they first appeared in An Cumann Cabhrach brochure of 1981.
Bobby Sands was born in 1954 in Rathcoole, a predominantly loyalist district of north Belfast. His twenty-seventh birthday fell on the ninth day of his sixty-six day hunger-strike.
The sectarian realities of ghetto life materialised early in Bobby's life when at the age of seven his family were forced to move home owing to loyalist intimidation even as early as 1962.
Of this time Bobby himself later wrote: "1 was only a working-class boy from a nationalist ghetto, but it is repression that creates the revolutionary spirit of freedom, I shall not settle until I achieve the liberation of my country, until Ireland becomes a sovereign independent socialist republic."
In June 1972, the family were intimidated out of their home in Doonbeg Drive, Rathcoole, and moved into the newly-built Twinbrook estate on the fringe of nationalist West Belfast.
At eighteen years of age Bobby joined the Republican Movement. In an article he wrote for Republican News he said: "My life now centred around sleepless nights and stand-bys, dodging the Brits and calming nerves to go out on operations. But the people stood by us. The people not only opened the doors of their homes to lend us a hand but they opened their hearts to us. I learned that without the people we could not win and I knew that I owed them everything."
October 1972, he was arrested. Four hand-guns were found in a house he had stayed in and he was charged with possession. He spent the next three years in the cages of Long Kesh where he had political prisoner status. During this time Bobby read widely and taught himself Irish which he was later to teach the other blanket men in the H-Blocks. Released in 1976 Bobby returned to his family in Twinbrook. He reported back to his local unit and went straight back into the continuing struggle. Bobby set himself to work tackling the social issues which affected the Twinbrook area. Here he became a community activist.
Within six months Bobby was arrested again. There had been a bomb attack on the Balmoral Furniture Company at Dunmurray, followed by a gun-battle in which two men were wounded. Bobby was in a car near the scene with three other young men. The R.U.C. captured them and found a revolver in the car.
The six men were taken to Castlereagh and were subjected to brutal interrogations for six days. Bobby refused to answer any questions during his interrogation except his name, age and address.
Bobby, along with the others, was charged with possession of a hand-gun. He was held on remand for eleven nths until his trial in September 1977. As at his previous trial he refused to recognise the court.
The judge admitted that there was no evidence to link Bobby, or the other three young men with him, to the bombing. So the four of them were sentenced to fourteen years each for possession of the revolver.
He was moved to the H-Blocks from Crumlin Road Jail and joined the blanket protest. He began to write for Republican News and then after February 1979 for the newly merged An Phoblacht,/Republican News, under the pen-name 'Marcella', his sister's name.
Bobby became P.R.0. for the blanket men and was in constant confrontation with the prison authorities which resulted in several spells of solitary confinement.
The H-Blocks became the battlefield in which the republican spirit of resistance met head-on all the inhumanities that the British could perpetrate.
On October 27th 1980, following the breakdown of talks between the British direct-ruler in the North, Humphrey Atkins and Cardinal 0 Fiaich, the Irish Catholic primate, seven prisoners in the H-Blocks began a hunger-strike. Bobby volunteered for the fast but instead he succeeded, as 0/C, Brendan Hughes, who went on hunger strike.
That hunger-strike ended after 53 days when the British agreed to implement a liberal and enlightened prison regime. But as soon as the hunger-strike was over the Brits reneged and Bobby's attempts to negotiate with the prison governor were rebuffed. Thus British intransigence forced a second hunger-strike which Bobby led on March 1st 1981.
He insisted on starting two weeks in front on the others so that perhaps his death could secure the five demands and save their lives.
On March 30th, he was nominated as candidate for the Fermanagh and South Tyrone by-election caused by the sudden death of Frank Maguire, an independent M.P. who supported the prisoners' cause.
In an historic by-election, which was the subject of international interest, Bobby was victorious over his unionist rival. But the British still refused to treat with the prisoners and at 1.17am on Tuesday May 5th, having completed 65 days on hunger strike, Bobby Sands, M.P., died in the H-Block prison hospital at Long Kesh.
This article has been viewed 9037 times in the last 3 years
Peter: 2nd Feb 2005 - 17:59 GMT
Bobby Sands has become a hot topic here lately. Interesting. These are pretty informative posts, actually.
Anonymous (adsl-67-122-210-164.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net): 13th Jun 2005 - 02:18 GMT
If only I had the smallest concept of this bravery. I bow my head in respect of a great hhuman being.
Andy: 17th Jun 2005 - 04:03 GMT
The man deserves true respect. I recently watched a movie on him and was blowen away by it all. RIP Bobby Sands.
he is an arse: 23rd Sep 2005 - 22:20 GMT
at the end of the day he was a criminal once he was in jail he decided he didnt like it so he didnt eat an rubbed crp on his walls were is the bravery?
spooner: 30th Nov 2005 - 19:12 GMT
Bobby Sands and his 10comrades have gone down in Irish history as legends,our children will read of them in their history books in school and they'll understand what they've done for the Ireland of today.They were the bravest of the brave.May they rest in peace.Tiocfaidh ar la.
Lottie: 23rd Dec 2005 - 19:05 GMT
During his non-violent hunger-strike, it became very obvious how fanatical Margaret Thatcher and the British goverment of those days actually was. This greatly increased the understanding of lookers-on all around the world. The present-day population in Ireland have a very great deal to thank Booby Sands for. He is a true martyr, as important to Irish history as Parnell.
Finnbar: 21st Jan 2006 - 17:39 GMT
God Bless Bobby Sands. We must all thank Bobby Sands for his great deeds for Ireland and the P.I.R.A may he Rest In Peace. Tiocfaidh Ar La
Middie: 21st Jan 2006 - 17:46 GMT
God Bless Bobby Sands. He Was My Inspiration And Will Forever Will Be. Rest In Peace Bobby! Ireland's Greatest Son. Tiocfaidh Ar La. P.I.R.A
a friend: 24th Jan 2006 - 04:53 GMT
after watching "mother and son" I find it incredable that even today, people still have not learned to work towards a common peace. Why do all the great people (bobby sands, william wallace, martin luther king) have to die because of our ignornce, when will we learn and what will it take.
beano: 26th Feb 2006 - 10:36 GMT
You describe Sands (at the very least an accomplice to murder) as "great people" and then wonder why we can't all get along? Are you being serious?
Díarmuíd Patrick Laverty: 1st Mar 2006 - 12:21 GMT
God Bless.
Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.
TÁL
Risteard: 1st Mar 2006 - 18:11 GMT
War is dirty period.
what bobby sands has done is the most sefless thing known to humanity.
In bobbys own words" no greater love no man has then he who lays down his life for his friends" to reply to the character above beano crall back in your hole.
tiocfaidh ar la. RIP gentle son of ireland.
RICHARD: 17th Mar 2006 - 19:31 GMT
HE WAS A HERO AND A SOILDER ANGAINTS OUR FIGHT WITH THE BRITISH GOVERMENT AND BY HIS DEATH THANK-FULLY AND THE OTHER NINE WHO DIED WE WILL HAVE A UNITED IRELAND FOR IT IS MENT TO BE 32 COUNTEYS R.I.P BOBBY SANDS AND ALL THE VOLUNTEARS TIOCFAIDH AR LA THE CITICENES OF IRELAND
Micheal - Australia: 6th Apr 2006 - 12:50 GMT
I was a teenager during the hunger strikes and took the side of the hand I was delt. I have had time to reflect and investigate with an open mind and no matter how you look at it you cannot deny the bravery and determination and not withstanding the selfless acts of these ten men. Bobby and comrades, I do not mean to cheapen your efforts but you are my inspiration every day. in reply to the negatives above, open your mind and live a little. I rest assured Ireland will see a lasting peace in my lifetime. Nearly there.
GortaMor: Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Amen.
Stoney: 5th May 2006 - 12:06 GMT
You gave the most precious gift anyone can give. The gift of life. Because of your unselfish act we so called republicans in the South are blessed with the standard of life we have now.We no longer are dependent on our Suppressor across the pond and we are a country recognised as one of the most succesful in the world. Please God we will see the day that our whole country is reunited and our friends in the 6 counties can enjoy the fruits of your sacrifice. Another great Irishman.
Trillick: What was he doing when he was arrested ?
A: 6th May 2006 - 15:47 GMT
Bobby Sands sacraficed his life by standing up for his principles - he was passionate and selfless and wanted justice done for his people whatever the cost to himself.
His life story is inspirational. May he rest in peace.
anon (port-165.tycohealth.delme.newnet.co.uk): 8th May 2006 - 00:42 GMT
it is a pity that our so called goverment would not take a leaf out of bobbys principles.corruption by the fat cats still exists.
rest in peace
" while ireland still holds these graves"
anon (d204-191-189-252.abhsia.telus.net): 11th Jun 2006 - 03:20 GMT
God Bless you Bobby Sands. I stand in awe of your pure convictions. I know God holds you in the "hollow of His hand".
doc 12th aug 20.01: 12th Aug 2006 - 21:50 GMT
for the people of west belfast(anderstown) and a far. he stood up for the rights of irish people and irish freedom his memory will live on forever in our hearts and soul a brave young irishman he lived and a freedom fighter he died T A L
OGLACH: 13th Sep 2006 - 13:35 GMT
MP Bobby Sands grave has been spat on! He never Died So we could Give up our right to irish independence ! Certain political groups gave it up! look it up! He never died so certain political groups could throw away political status! look it up! He never died so a british agenda could once again shape the future of Ireland (GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT)! THE WAR IS NOT OVER WE STILL HAVE BRAVE MEN LIKE BOBBY SANDS!!!! I just pray our volunteers will not have to sacrifice their lives again when the good friday agreement is shown to be what it is another british imposed plan to keep the six counties in a tighter grip! OUR DAY IS COMING!!!!!
Joseph Sassone: 28th Sep 2006 - 02:03 GMT
I was 15 years old when Bobby Sands died and remember it rather well. The other 9 men who gave their lives for the cause are sadly overshadowed somewhat by Bobby but someone had to be the leader & he bravely chose to die first with the hope that the other hunger striker's lives could be spared or at least most of them. This was not to be. Margaret Thatcher was one tough, British bitch. It took 10 human beings to die & no doubt condemnation & pressure from the rest of the work for the Brits to finally concede. I am an American & not Irish but have the utmost respect for Bobby Sands & the others & what the IRA was fighting for. It took 8 years to defeat the Brits in the American Revolution. Then they came back in 1812 & set fire to our capitol in Washington. Again, we drove them out. They came close to supporting the Confederacy during the American Civil War. By all this, I mean to say that the British are extremely firm & resolute & only give up lands they control by FORCE. At any rate, I salute you & the others, Bobby Sands, & know that your name will NEVER be forgotten.
chris tracey: 27th Oct 2006 - 10:52 GMT
bobby was a brave man who just wanted freedom in his country god bless the hunger strikers
darrell: 5th Nov 2006 - 19:40 GMT
men like bobby sands will help ireland become a 32 county republice he died so that i coud live free when ireland finds her freedom men like booby sands, wolf tonne, padraice pearse and robert emmet will be rememberd for there lives were not in vein
jbhoy67: 13th Nov 2006 - 15:10 GMT
i was 15 at the time and marched in a republican band all over scotland england eire and the north i will never forget the news of bobbys passing on the radio at my home in glasgow and the nine brave men behind him this has an impact on my life today and at 40 i got my tattoo in memory of them i now hope for peace and 32 back again what the 10 done was nothing short of the bravest thing i have experienced god bless
ronald-cra-activ-membre-belgium: 17th Dec 2006 - 07:18 GMT
god bless bobby and 9 compagnons l irland vincra
niamh: 20th Mar 2007 - 18:48 GMT
What can be said for this man!! hes a hero!! a man that loved and always wil love his country and his people!he was the voice of many people in the north of ireland! and he stood up for wot he believed IN! he dieds for his country! but our love for him and what he did wil never die!!
Eve- England: 18th Dec 2007 - 00:38 GMT
The man elected to go first on the strike, he knew he was going to die from the word go, that takes something rare.
Whatever your politics, the man died for the freedom of others, that makes him a hero, whatever side of the wall your from.
Tiocfaidh Ar La
carrie cunningham birr: 9th Jan 2008 - 20:55 GMT
bobby sands was an inspiration!!an icon,who was loved dearly loved and will always be remembered..he was the bravest man.bobby and his 10 comrades were heroes!a great saying by the dear bobby sands ''tiocadh ar la..'' ta an tir seo an mhaith agus ta trocha a tri gcontae i heireann!!ta gach daoine le an tir eile (margarate thatcher)uafasach..biochas le bobby sands xx
Roger: 20th Jan 2008 - 20:55 GMT
Even the movie dosent grasp the sheer horror of what they went threw even BEFORE the hunger strike. If you read bobby sands book, it will bring you to tears.
As example, there were three main warders in the maze at that time in bobbys block. One would physicaly try to break him, another would mentaly try to break him, and another tried to undermine him. The torture and the situation was much much much more horrid an unimaginable sad than predicted in the film. The film potrays them as living in paradise comepared to what it really was like. READ bobbys book which he wrote on toilet paper in prision.
derry republican: 26th Apr 2008 - 16:38 GMT
these ten brave men gave there lives for are country wonder wat they would think now of them judas sinn fien traitors in stormont with the brits. sinn fien are not interested in an united ireland all there interested in is the money. god bless the hunger strikers. slan.
anon (86-46-0-151.b-ras2.mvw.galway.eircom.net): 17th May 2008 - 22:35 GMT
a true lengend that died trying to expell the brits from ireland for once and for all.
allie1916: god bless you Bobby.r.i.p.
a dublin republican: 6th Jul 2008 - 12:30 GMT
Good bless Bobby Sands and the nine other martyrs and all solders of the IRA
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