Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney
SINN Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has announced that the annual National Hunger Strike commemoration will take next month in Ballina Co Mayo on Sunday 13th August.
The former Hunger Striker said he was delighted that this year’s event was taking place in the home county of Hunger Strikers Seán McNeela, Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg.
Raymond McCartney said: “The prison struggle of the late 1970s and early 1980s were without any doubt a key moment in the Irish struggle for freedom and justice.
“And within that period the Hunger Strike of 1981 is of course the defining moment.
“Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg died on hunger strike in English jails in the 1970s, while another Mayo republican, Seán McNeela, also died on hunger strike in 1940 along with his friend and comrade Tony D’arcy from neighbouring Co. Galway.
“The National Commemoration in Ballina is one of the biggest events on the Republican calendar.
“I appeal to the wider Republican community in Derry, to the people of Ireland and international sympathisers to mobilise and show support for the ideals for which the Hunger Strikers gave their all.”
There will be a number of buses travelling down from Derry , for seats call 02871 377551.
The Commemoration march and rally will take place in Ballina, Co. Mayo on Sunday, 13 August beginning at 3 pm.
