Irish Examiner view: Republicans made ultimate sacrifice for Irish independence

Joseph Murphy, died in the same jail as Michael Fitzgerald the following day, while Cork's Lord Mayor, Terence MacSwiney (pictured), died in Brixton prison in England eight days later. Photo: Margaret Hegarty

It is just over 100 years ago that Michael Fitzgerald became the first republican combatant to die on hunger strike during the War of Independence. 

Fitzgerald died on October 17, 1920, in Cork Gaol after a 67-day hunger strike. His was the first death of a hunger striker in an Irish prison since that of Thomas Ashe in Dublin in October, 1917.