Clondalkin Hunger Strike Meeting

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice Sunday November 09, 2008 20:38 by éirígí PRO - éirígí

8pm Neilstown Community Centre

Hunger Strike Meeting in Neilstown Community Centre, Clondalkin

The recent release of Steve McQueen’s critically acclaimed movie ‘Hunger’ has led to a renewed interest in both the 1981 Hunger Strike and the broader prison struggle of the 1970’s and 1980’s. For many of those too young to remember that momentous period the movie has whetted an appetite to learn more about the events that led ten young men to die on Hunger Strike twenty-seven years ago.

This is the context within which éirígí has organised a series of 1981 Hunger Strike- themed public meetings which will take place during the month of November. The first of these meetings is taking place at 8pm in Neilstown Community Centre, Clondalkin on November 10th.

Both Tommy McKearney and Jake Jackson will speak at the meeting.

Tommy McKearney from Co Tyrone who took part in both the ‘blanket’ and ‘no-wash’ protest before joining the ‘first’ Hunger Strike in 1980. Tommy went for 53 days without food before that protest was ended on the basis of a deal which the British authorities quickly retracted.

Jake Jackson from Belfast who took part in both the ‘blanket’ and ‘no-wash’ protests. As a former cellmate and close friend of Bobby Sands Jake had a unique insight into not only the 1981 Hunger Strike but also the period before and following.

The meeting will be chaired by éirígí chairperson and representative for the Clondalkin and Lucan area Brian Leeson.