Afghan hunger strike - Interests of State must come first

Regrettable though it is that six of the 35 hunger-striking Afghans in Dublin had to receive hospital treatment, it was an inevitable outcome of the course of action they embarked upon.

It was a desperate action to have recourse to, but it could never achieve its objective of getting an audience with Justice Minister Michael McDowell. Neither he, nor the State, could allow what amounted to blackmail to dictate the course of events.

Their hunger strike in St Patrick’s Cathedral is similar to what is happening across Belgium where illegal immigrants are demanding a change in the law.