Around 200 people attended a wreath laying ceremony in Derry this afternoon to mark the 35th anniversary of Patsy O’Hara, one of two men from the city who died in the 1981 Long Kesh hunger strike.
The 23-year-old, a member of the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) from the Bishop Street, died on 21 May 1981 after 61 days on hunger strike.
He was the fourth protestor to lose his life in the protest.
He had been serving an eight year jail sentence for possession of a hand grenade.
Fellow Derry man, Michael Devine, also a member of the INLA, died on 20 August the same year, after 60 days on hunger strike.
He was the last of the 10 protestors to die.
Speaking at this afternoon’s ceremony at the republican socialist plot in Derry’s City Cemetery, Desie O’Hagan, of the IRSP, paid tribute to Patsy O’Hara and the other nine hunger strikers who died.
He said: “Patsy O’Hara dreamed of a workers’ republic.
“He believed it was a viable proposition and a very real possibility in his lifetime.
“He believed in an Ireland in which the working class could control its own destiny, an Ireland of peace and freedom, a truly democratic nation.
“Patsy O’Hara was a true internationalist who supported just causes across the world and many around the world took inspiration from him.”
“Best wishes and solidarity” were sent to a number of prisoners from the Basque Country who have been on hunger strike since 2 May last in support of one of their colleagues, Itzair Mareon, who is being held in isolation in a prison near Paris.
Prior to the today’s wreath-laying ceremony, around 50 people accompanied the James Connolly Memorial Flute Band through the cemetery to the republican socialist plot where around 150 had already gathered.
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