Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Youth Lead the Way in Hunger Strike Talk

Published: 15 August, 2009

The members of the Burns/Moley Flute Band, Crois Mhic Lionáinn and St. Patrick's Youth Band, Coilleach Eanach invited former hunger striker Paddy Quinn and local Fews Councillor Jimmy McCreesh to the Band Hall in Coilleach Eanach to speak about their experiences of the 1981 Hunger Strike.

Paddy, born in Carrickgallogly, about a mile outside of Belleeks, was arrested along with Vol. Raymond McCreesh, who subsequently died on Hunger Strike; and Dan McGuinness. Paddy was sentenced to 14 years in March 1977 and went on "The Blanket Protest". He was released at Christmas 1985 and stood for the local council elections in 1986.

Jimmy McCreesh was born (sna Doirse) in Dorsey and was the founder of the then named Boyle/Bennett Cumann in 1975.

During the 1975 Loyalist/RUC/UDR attack on Donnelly's Pub in Silverbridge, he was shot twice in the back. Three locals, Trevor Brecknell from Coilleach Eanach, Michael Donnelly, Cullaville and Michael Donnelly, son of Donnelly's pub aged 14 years, were killed during that attack. Jimmy McCreesh was elected to Newry and Mourne District Council and has served his community since.

Paddy Quinn gave a detailed account of the horrific conditions in Long Kesh at the time of his imprisonment - of the attempted British criminalisation policy, the subsequent no-wash protest, the blanket protest and the hunger strike. He spoke of how they as prisoners took the decision to go on Hunger Strike as the conditions were so intolerable. He described how they all felt when Bobby Sands died, but that they knew that they had to continue so that their 5 demands would be met.

Paddy's account brought everyone to the cells of Long Kesh where men suffered so much. His description of the physical pain and disorientation that he endured was so vivid that you could almost experience it yourself.

Jimmy McCreesh spoke of the dire times on the outside, knowing that young men and women were suffering in jail at the hands of the British Government and were at the mercy of pro-British screws who continuously tortured the prisoners. He detailed the work being done by activists, both locally and nationally - visiting prisoners and their families to try to get as much information out of Long Kesh, in order to find a solution to the problem. He felt that many people did not believe that Maggie Thatcher and the British Government would let Bobby Sands die and that his death brought a new dimension to the struggle for the prisoners.

He spoke of the political work being done today to continue with that same struggle to achieve a 32 County United Ireland and that the sacrifice of the Hunger Striker was instrumental in taking us to that certain day.

It was amazing to see so many young children sit with their parents and listen so intently to the two men. Both young and old felt that it was truly historic evening.

The Burns/Moley Flute Band and St. Patrick's Youth Band would like to sincerely thank Paddy and Jimmy for sharing their experiences with them.