Francis Hughes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Hughes
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| Born | 28 February 1956 Bellaghy, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
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| Died | 12 May 1981 (aged 25) HM Prison Maze
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| Organization | Provisional IRA |
| Known for | Hunger strike of 59 days, from 15 March 1981 |
| Family | Thomas McElwee (cousin) |
Francis Joseph Sean Hughes (born February 28, 1956 – died May 12, 1981) was a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). He came from Bellaghy, a town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Francis Hughes became the most wanted person in Northern Ireland for a time. He was arrested after a gunfight with the British Army. He was later sentenced to a long prison term. Francis Hughes died during a 1981 Irish hunger strike while in HM Prison Maze. He was one of 22 Irish republicans who died on hunger strike between 1917 and 1981.
Early Life in Bellaghy
Francis Hughes was born in Bellaghy, County Londonderry, on February 28, 1956. He was the youngest of four brothers in a family of ten children. His family had a history of supporting Irish republican causes. His father, Joseph, was part of the Irish Republican Army in the 1920s. One of his uncles also helped by moving weapons for the republican movement.
Because of his family's background, they were often watched by authorities. When a policy called internment started in 1971, Francis's brother, Oliver, was held for eight months without a trial. Francis left school when he was 16 years old. He then started working as an apprentice painter and decorator.
One evening, Francis was returning home from Ardboe, County Tyrone. He was stopped at a checkpoint by the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR). When the soldiers found out he came from a republican family, he was badly beaten. His father wanted him to see a doctor and report the incident to the police. However, Francis refused. He said he would "get his own back" on those who hurt him and their friends.
Joining the IRA
Francis Hughes first joined the Official Irish Republican Army. But he left them after they announced a ceasefire in May 1972. Later, in 1973, Francis decided to join the Provisional Irish Republican Army. He joined with his cousin Thomas McElwee, along with Dominic McGlinchey and Ian Milne.
Hughes, Milne, and McGlinchey were involved in many activities for the IRA. These included actions against police stations and attacks on off-duty police and soldiers. Another IRA member described Francis Hughes's way of life:
He was always on the move, often walking up to 20 miles at night. He would then sleep during the day, sometimes in fields or in safe houses. He looked like a soldier in his black beret and uniform, openly carrying a rifle, a handgun, and grenades, as well as food.
On April 18, 1977, Hughes, McGlinchey, and Milne were in a car near Moneymore. An RUC police car with four officers signaled them to stop. The IRA members tried to get away, but their car went into a ditch. They left the car and fired at the police car. Two officers were killed and another was wounded. The IRA members then ran off through fields. Another police patrol came under fire as they tried to stop them from escaping. Despite a search by the RUC and the British Army, the IRA members got away.
After this event, the RUC named Francis Hughes as the most wanted person in Northern Ireland. They put up wanted posters with pictures of Hughes, Milne, and McGlinchey. Ian Milne was arrested in Lurgan in August 1977. Dominic McGlinchey was arrested later that year in the Republic of Ireland.
Arrest and Prison Time
Francis Hughes was arrested on March 17, 1978. This happened near Maghera in County Londonderry. The night before, he had been in a gunfight with the British Army. British soldiers were watching from a hidden spot. They saw Hughes and another IRA member approaching. They were wearing combat clothes.
One soldier stood up and called out to them, thinking they might be from the Ulster Defence Regiment. The IRA members then opened fire on the British troops, who fired back. A soldier from the SAS, Lance Corporal David Jones, was killed. Another soldier was wounded. Francis Hughes was also wounded. He was arrested nearby the next morning.
In February 1980, Francis Hughes was sentenced to a total of 83 years in prison. He was found guilty of charges related to the death of a British Army soldier and the wounding of another during the incident that led to his arrest. He was also found guilty of involvement in several gun and bomb attacks over six years. People who knew him described him as "fearless and active."
The 1981 Hunger Strike
Francis Hughes had been part of a large hunger strike in 1980. He was the second prisoner to join the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike in the H-Blocks at the Maze prison. His hunger strike began on March 15, 1981. This was two weeks after Bobby Sands started his own hunger strike.
Francis Hughes was also the second hunger striker to die. He passed away at 5:43 PM British Summer Time on May 12, 1981. He had been without food for 59 days. His death led to more protests and unrest in Irish nationalist areas of Northern Ireland.
His cousin, Thomas McElwee, was the ninth hunger striker to die. Francis's brother, Oliver Hughes, was elected twice to the Magherafelt District Council.
Francis Hughes is remembered on the Irish Martyrs Memorial. This memorial is located at Waverley Cemetery in Sydney, Australia. He is also played by Fergal McElherron in the film H3.
