Raymond McCreesh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raymond McCreesh
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| Born | 25 February 1957 Camlough, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
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| Died | 21 May 1981 (aged 24) HM Prison Maze, Maze, County Down, Northern Ireland
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| Cause of death | Hunger strike |
| Organization | Provisional IRA |
| Known for | Hunger strike of 61 days, from 22 March 1981 |
Raymond McCreesh (Irish: Réamonn Mac Raois, 25 February 1957 – 21 May 1981) was an Irish republican volunteer. He was part of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), a group involved in a conflict in Northern Ireland. In 1976, he was captured with two other IRA volunteers. They were trying to ambush a British Army observation post. McCreesh was one of ten Irish republicans who died during a hunger strike in 1981. This happened at Maze Prison. He was one of 22 Irish republicans in the 20th century who died on hunger strike.
Early Life
Raymond Peter McCreesh was born in Camlough on February 25, 1957. He was the seventh of eight children. His family had strong Irish republican beliefs. Raymond became active in the republican movement when he was 16.
He went to primary school in Camlough. Later, he attended St Colman's College in Newry. In 1973, Raymond joined Fianna Éireann. This was the youth group of the IRA. Later that year, he joined the Provisional IRA South Armagh Brigade.
McCreesh worked briefly as a steelworker. He then became a milk delivery person in his local area. This job helped him learn about the countryside. It also allowed him to observe British Army patrols.
His Arrest
On June 25, 1976, McCreesh was 19 years old. He and three other IRA volunteers tried to ambush a British Army observation post. This post was in South Armagh. British paratroopers saw them and opened fire.
McCreesh and another volunteer, Paddy Quinn, took cover in a farmhouse. The paratroopers surrounded the house. They fired shots into the building. After some time, McCreesh and Quinn surrendered. They were taken to a British Army base. The other two volunteers were also captured or escaped. Local Catholic priests helped them surrender safely.
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Imprisonment and Hunger Strike
On March 2, 1977, McCreesh and Quinn were sentenced to prison. They received fourteen years for their actions against British soldiers. They also got five more years for being IRA members. The rifle McCreesh had was used in a serious event in 1976.
McCreesh was sent to the Maze Prison. He joined the blanket protest there. This was a protest where prisoners refused to wear prison uniforms. He then took part in the 1981 Irish hunger strike. He died on May 21, 1981. He had been on hunger strike for 61 days.
One soldier who captured McCreesh was David Jones. He was later killed by Francis Hughes. Hughes also died during the same hunger strike. Another Irish republican, Patsy O'Hara, died on the same day as McCreesh. He also died on hunger strike in Maze Prison.
Raymond McCreesh Park
A playground in Newry was named after McCreesh. This decision was made by the local council. Some political parties, like Sinn Féin and SDLP, supported the naming.
However, some people, called Unionists, were unhappy. They appealed to the Equality Commission. This commission looks into fairness issues. In 2008, they asked for a review of the decision. The council decided that naming the park after McCreesh followed their rules. These rules are about promoting equality and good relations.
In 2013, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland announced a formal investigation. They wanted to see if the council had considered equality properly. Nothing further came from this investigation.
