West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Vigils to be held to mark Bobby Sands anniversary

Published: 29 April, 2009

Republicans will take to the streets of Belfast next Tuesday, 5th May, for a series of black flag vigils to mark the 28th anniversary of the death on hunger strike of IRA Volunteer Bobby Sands MP.

Bobby Sands died in the early hours of 5th May 1981 after 66 days on hunger strike in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh Prison for political status.

The assembly points for the vigils in memory of the Twinbrook Republican are;

  • Sevastopol Street Sinn Fein Centre, Falls Road at 5pm
  • Bottom of the Whiterock Road at 5pm
  • Connolly House Sinn Fein Centre, Andersonstown Road at 5pm
  • Mairead Farrell Sinn Fein Office, Dairy Farm Centre, Stewartstown Road at 5pm
  • Corner of New Lodge Road and Antrim Road at 5pm
  • Mountpottinger Road Shops, Short Strand at 5pm

Speaking in advance of the black flag vigils, Belfast Sinn Fein leader Bobby Storey said:

''We are calling on Republicans from throughout the city to come out onto the streets next Tuesday, 5th May, at 5pm, to remember Bobby and all the Hunger Strikers with pride.

''Bobby Sands, like his comrades Kieran Doherty and Joe McDonnell, and all of the Hunger Strikers, was a decent, selfless and heroic person.

''He was a loving father, a son, a brother, a soldier in the Irish Republican Army, an activist in Sinn Fein, a member of his local residents group, a poet, a musician, an MP and a Hunger Striker.

''He was also a friend and comrade to many, many people.

''Today, his memory lives on and we are continuing to work for the United Ireland that Bobby was so determined to achieve.

''So we are asking people to come out next Tuesday to remember an outstanding Irishman and revolutionary.''