National Archives - 20 prisoners, including Ferris, go on hunger strike
In its annual report for 1976 the Visiting Committee reported that it had monthly visits to the jail. “Members also made individual visits without prior notice, and on each such visit everything was found to be satisfactory, particularly as regards the prisoners’ meals which were always found to be up to the usual high quality, well cooked and tastefully served.”
There were complaints about security but the report noted that the measures taken were justified by the escape of August 18, 1974, when prisoners used plastic explosives smuggled into the prison. “We are satisfied that the special restrictions imposed were both reasonable and necessary,” the committee reported.
On February 24, 1977, during a routine search, prison guards found a document indicating that some prisoners were “likely to be instructed by their leaders to stage a hunger strike” in the coming days. The Government warned that there would be no concessions to hunger strikers and prisoners would be responsible for their own actions.
The hunger strike began on March 7, with 20 prisoners refusing food. They included Dáithi Ó Conaill, a vice-president of Sinn Féin, and Martin Ferris.
Justice Minister Paddy Cooney came under increased media scrutiny, with complaints about unnecessary strip searching.
“The suggestion by some journalists that there is an element of perversion present is a vile and malicious defamation,” the minister complained.
He justified the security measures on the grounds that explosives had been found. Some were found concealed in the heels of shoes delivered to the prison, while a woman visitor was detected concealing explosives in her vagina.
A month into the hunger strike the Government reaffirmed its determination to make no concessions.
“There is a belief among the prisoners who are refusing food and among certain people outside that some at least of the demands being made in relation to security measures in Portlaoise might be conceded or that they might be enquired into,” according to a government statement on April 10.
“Any such beliefs are totally unfounded. There will be no inquiry — public or private.”
All of the hunger strikers were moved to the Curragh Military Hospital, and two quit their protest on April 15. In the following week the strike collapsed after four more quit and the remaining 14 gave up on April 22, after 47 days without food. No concessions were made to the prisoners.
