Kevin Lynch (hunger striker) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kevin Lynch
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| Caoimhín Ó Loingsigh | |
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| Born | 25 May 1956 |
| Died | 1 August 1981 (aged 25) Maze Prison in Maze, County Down, Northern Ireland
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| Cause of death | Hunger strike |
| Organization | INLA |
| Known for | Hunger strike of 71 days, from 23 May 1981 |
Kevin Lynch (born May 25, 1956 – died August 1, 1981) was an Irish republican from Park, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He was a member of a group called the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). An Irish republican believes that all of Ireland should be united as one country.
Kevin Lynch is remembered for taking part in a hunger strike in 1981. This was a protest where prisoners refused to eat. After his death, the local Dungiven hurling team was renamed Kevin Lynch's Hurling Club to honor him.
His Early Life and Sports
Kevin Lynch was the youngest of eight children. He was born to Paddy and Bridie Lynch in Park, County Londonderry.
Kevin was very active in sports. His older brother, Frank, was a boxer, and Kevin also enjoyed boxing. He played Gaelic football and hurling, which are traditional Irish sports.
In 1971, Kevin was part of the winning Dungiven team. They won the Feile na nGael Division 3 in Thurles, County Tipperary. The next year, in 1972, he was the captain of the Derry Hurling team. They won an Under-16 All-Ireland title at Croke Park in Dublin, beating County Armagh.
His Time in Prison and the Hunger Strike
When Kevin was fourteen, he joined a local group called Fianna Éireann. This group was linked to the Official IRA, another republican organization. In 1972, the Official IRA called for a ceasefire, which meant they would stop fighting. Kevin disagreed with this decision. He then joined an independent republican group in his area. Later, he became a member of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA).
Kevin Lynch was arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison for his actions related to the conflict. He was sent to the Maze Prison in December 1977. While in prison, he joined a protest called the "blanket protest." Prisoners refused to wear prison uniforms and instead wore only blankets.
In 1981, Kevin joined the hunger strike at the Maze Prison. He started his protest on May 23, 1981. He died 71 days later, on August 1, 1981. The hunger strike was a way for prisoners to protest for their right to be seen as political prisoners, not criminals.
Remembering Kevin Lynch
Kevin Lynch and the other hunger strikers are remembered in different places. There is a special memorial for them in Sydney, Australia. It is called the Irish Patriots and Martyrs of 1798, 1916 and 1981 Memorial at Waverley Cemetery.
