Unionists furious at hunger strike 'jamboree'

The British government was told to hang its head in shame tonight after Irish republicans held a commemoration at the former Maze Prison to 10 IRA and INLA prisoners who died on hunger strike.

Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds was furious that republicans were allowed to stage a ceremony in the former jail to mark the 25th anniversary of hunger striker Bobby Sands’ death.

As republicans took part in a series of weekend events across Ireland, Mr Dodds also accused Sinn Féin leaders of glorifying terrorism.

“To say that I am furious at the Government for permitting the former Maze Prison to be used for this republican jamboree would be an exaggeration,” the North Belfast MP said.

“After the farcical collapse of the terrorist amnesty legislation, I thought that the Government had learnt its lesson. Patently they have not.

“They are still prepared to put the terrorists’ interests ahead of those of the victim. What sort of a warped policy is this to pursue?

“The Government ought to be ashamed of themselves for allowing their property to be used in a way that is grossly offensive to the greater number of people in Northern Ireland.”

Sinn Féin MPs Martin McGuinness and Michelle Gildernew joined ex-prisoners Brendan “Bik” McFarlane and Jake Jackson for a ceremony which included a minute’s silence and readings from Bobby Sands’ writings.

Seven IRA prisoners and three from the Irish National Liberation Army died during the 1981 hunger strike in an attempt to force British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government to recognise them as political prisoners.

Bobby Sands was the first to refuse food in March 1981 and the first to die.

He was also elected an MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone shortly before his death in a by-election which sent shockwaves through British politics.

The hunger strike ended in October after a number of families sanctioned medical intervention to save prisoners’ lives.

At a commemoration today at Hackballscross, Co Louth, Gerry Adams claimed Sinn Féin’s electoral success was in no small measure helped by the hunger strikers.

Black flag vigils were also held along main roads in west Belfast and in Dublin, Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald took part in an event outside the GPO.

Mr McGuinness participated in a march and rally tonight in Derry alongside fellow Assembly member, Raymond McCartney who took part in the first Maze hunger strike in 1980.

Today’s events were criticised by the youth wing of the Ulster Unionist Party which dubbed them hate vigils.

Mr Dodds said while republicans chose to lionise IRA hunger strikers, the Democratic Unionists remembered the prisoners’ victims.

“For a party that likes to talk about the future, Sinn Féin/IRA have today raked up the past and, in the process, insulted law abiding people all over Northern Ireland,” the former Stormont minister said.

“In a repeat of what they always done, Sinn Féin/IRA have through this event, tried to glorify and lionise men who weren’t freedom fighters or martyrs as republicans might have us believe but convicted murderers, gangsters and thugs.”

Mr McGuinness insisted today his thoughts were not only on the hunger strikers but all those who died during the Troubles.

“We are not just on this day thinking of our own suffering, or of our own people, we are thinking of everyone and of how we can use our experiences to benefit the whole of society,” he said.

“I say that as someone who is willing to stretch out the hand of friendship to those who were previously enemies of ours.

“This is a new time.

“This is a new situation and I think there is a real sense throughout the island of Ireland that we are moving to better times.

“What we have to do is keep that going whilst at the same time be very conscious of our responsibilities to remember the past and to remember all of those who lost their lives.”