Patsy O'Hara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patsy O'Hara
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 11 July 1957 |
| Died | 21 May 1981 (aged 23) HM Prison Maze, Northern Ireland
|
| Organization | INLA |
| Known for | Hunger strike of 61 days, from 22 March 1981 |
Patsy O'Hara (Irish: Peatsaí Ó hEadhra; 11 July 1957 – 21 May 1981) was an Irish republican who took part in a hunger strike. He was a member of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). Patsy O'Hara was one of 22 Irish republicans who died during a hunger strike in the 20th century.
Patsy O'Hara's Early Life
Patsy O'Hara was born in Bishop Street, Derry, Northern Ireland. In 1970, he joined a youth group called Na Fianna Éireann. The next year, in 1971, his brother Sean was interned, which means he was put in prison without a trial. This happened at Long Kesh prison.
In late 1971, when Patsy was only 14 years old, a soldier shot and wounded him. This happened while he was helping to guard a barricade. Because of his injuries, he could not go to the civil rights march on Bloody Sunday in 1972. However, he watched the march from the Brandywell area. The events of that day had a lasting impact on him.
Joining Political Groups
In October 1974, Patsy O'Hara was also interned at Long Kesh. After he was released in April 1975, he joined two groups: the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) and the INLA.
He was arrested in Derry in June 1975 and held in custody for six months. In September 1976, he was arrested again and held for another four months.
On 10 May 1978, he was arrested in O'Connell Street, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. He was released 18 hours later. He went back to Derry in January 1979 and continued to be active with the INLA.
On 14 May 1979, he was arrested again. He was later found guilty of having a hand grenade. In January 1980, he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
The Hunger Strike
When the first hunger strike began in 1980, Patsy O'Hara became the leader of the INLA prisoners. He joined the 1981 hunger strike on 22 March.
A hunger strike is when someone refuses to eat as a way to protest. They do this to try and get their demands met.
Patsy O'Hara died on Thursday, 21 May 1981, at 11:29 pm. He had been on hunger strike for 61 days and was 23 years old. His parents followed his wishes and did not allow medical help to save his life. Another Irish republican, Raymond McCreesh, also died on 21 May 1981, while on hunger strike in the same prison.
Patsy's Family
Patsy O'Hara's mother, Peggy O'Hara, was a politician. She ran as an independent candidate in the 2007 Northern Ireland Assembly election for the Foyle area. She was not elected, but she did well. She represented people who disagreed with the new approach of the Sinn Féin party, which involved working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). She received 1,789 votes.
Before the election, more than 330 former republican prisoners wrote a letter to the Derry Journal newspaper. They supported her campaign.
