Louth - Event Notice
Thursday January 01 1970

Hungerstrike Commemorative Mass

louth | miscellaneous | event notice

Monday September 18, 2006 16:24

by Eugene Garvey - Ógra Shinn Féin

osfnational at yahoo dot ie

A Mass will be held in St Patrick¹s Cathedral Dundalk on Tuesday 3rd October 2006 at 7.30pm. this is to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the ten young Irish men who died on Hunger Strike in Long Kesh in 1981 for political status.

It is also to commemorate the sacrifice made by their two comrades Micheal Gaughan who died on Hunger Strike June 3rd 1974 Parkhurst Gaol and Frank Stagg who died on Hunger Strike 12th February 1976 Wakefield Prison.

The Mass has been organised to mark the ending of the 1981 Hunger Strike on the 3rd of October 1981 and to mark this tragic period in Irish history in a proper, fitting and dignified manner. The committee wish to stress that everyone is welcome to attend and participate in the Mass.

County Louth was deeply affected by the trauma of the Hunger Strikes and in electing Paddy Agnew as TD signalled their support for an end to the inhuman conditions which the prisoners had endured for many years. Commenting on what he witnessed in the H Blocks in 1978 the late Cardinal Tomás O Fiaich said, "One would hardly allow an animal to remain in such conditions let alone a human being. The nearest approach to it I have seen was the spectacle of hundreds of homeless people living in sewer pipes in the slums of Calcutta". These circumstances forced the prisoners to embark on Hunger Strike.

In remembering the suffering of these men and their families, we would ask all those who were involved in the various committees during the Hunger Strikes, those who marched in support of them, those who prayed for them, and the many people who remember these tragic times to attend this Mass to commemorate the lives of these courageous young men.

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Comments (3 of 3)

What is the RC position on suicide again ?

by Mike

Mon Oct 02, 2006 18:38

I thought the Roman Catholic church didnt involve itself in politics (yeah right )

by RC

Wed Oct 11, 2006 02:14

The Hunger-strikers were human beings, they believed in their cause, they have families and friends that mourn them. A Memorial Mass is entirely appropriate.

Ten brave men who will be forever commemorated

by Seaicilín F

Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:54

Mike

That's a very mean spirited and disrespectful comment. A Memorial Mass is a fitting way to commemorate the ten brave hunger strikers and may give some comfort to their heartbroken families. These ten brave men should be commemorated, they gave their lives for their cause and for the betterment of their friends and others coming after them. They were utterlly selfless and I admire them greatly.

The hunger strike was a appalling tragedy and to think one person, Margaret Thatcher, had it in her power to save these ten men, but was callous enough to believe that it was totally justiifed in her mind to let them suffer and die, rather than grant them political status and basic rights. If there's a Hell, no doubt Thatcher will be residing in it.

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Hungerstrike Commemorative Mass

Comments (3 of 3)