ib_rutherford

= // Bobby Sands’ mural on the Falls Road in Belfast**[1]** // = // "I am standing on the threshold of another trembling world. May God have mercy on my soul.**[2]**” // - Bobby Sands     By Mark Rutherford, FR 042      Word Count: 1,999 words
 * How significant was Bobby Sands in the context of the 1980-81 hunger strikes at HM Maze prison? **

Contents =Page 3:= = Plan of the Investigation = =Page 4-6:= = Summary of Evidence = =Page 7-8:= = Evaluation of Sources = =Page 9-10:= = Analysis = =Page 11:= = Conclusion = =Page 12:= = List of Sources = =Page 13-15:= = Appendices =

Plan of the Investigation This study will assess “How significant was Bobby Sands in the context of the 1980-81 hunger strikes at HM Maze prison?” I chose this question because I am Northern Irish and I took an interest in investigating my country’s past as well as the strike’s importance, as it propelled the Republican plight forward politically and culturally and brought it into the world stage. Today we can learn the different effects of a hunger strike from this event, such as the cultural effect that has caused Sands to appear on Sinn Féin propaganda even today. I have evaluated the short term practical and moral impacts and the long term political and cultural impacts of Sands and the hunger strike, arguing that Sands’ impact was very important in all of these areas except morally, as a hunger strike can be morally debateable. In order to keep the scope of the study manageable I have carefully selected sources to include //Making Sense of the Troubles//, //Lost Lives// [3], speeches from the time, relevant websites and modern films and articles. [4] ** Word Count **: 172

// Summary of Evidence // =The Troubles= In 1920, the Republic of Ireland in the south of Ireland was declared an independent state and the six northern counties that made up Northern Ireland were placed under England’s control. From then until 1969, the Protestant Unionists, those who favoured the “existing link with Britain” [5], remained firmly in control of the country. The Catholic Republicans, who wanted an “independent united Ireland” [6] and felt Northern Ireland was an “illegitimate state” [7], felt like second-class citizens under Protestant power. When the Catholic Civil Rights Movements began in 1969, the real violence started, and it continued for the rest of the century. =The prison problem= In 1972 William Whitelaw [8] granted ‘special category status’ to prisoners associated with paramilitary groups. He did this to open “exploratory links” [9] with the IRA. Prisoners under this status wore their own clothes and resembled comfortable prisoners-of-war rather than regular prisoners. Administrations after Whitelaw tried to reverse this system and re-employ a “policy of criminalization of Republican prisoners” [10]. The first prison that was to be converted was HM Maze, but the prisoners began a ‘dirty protest’ [11] in retaliation, with Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich comparing the conditions to “the slums of Calcutta” [12]. Before 1980 these protests amounted to nothing, and sympathy for the prisoners outside of the prison was insignificant [13]. =First hunger strike= But in 1980, the prisoners decided to take the protests a step further by starting a hunger strike. The republican leaders said they were “tactically, strategically, physically and morally opposed to a hunger strike” [14], but seven prisoners participated in the strike and gave five demands to the prison officers [15]. It began in October 1980 and ended in December amid confusion, as one striker lost his eyesight and had to be brought to hospital. Then, the concessions promised had not been received and the IRA considered it a loss. =Second hunger strike= The second hunger strike began on the 1st March 1981, and was to be led by Bobby Sands. The IRA feared another “damaging and divisive failure” [16], but turned its opinion around when Sands “developed an aura of victimhood and self-sacrifice” [17] to those outside of HM Maze and the IRA used that to their advantage in their on-going propaganda battle against the Unionists. The reason for Sands’ popularity was because his image was very positive. He was arrested in 1976 for “possessing one handgun” [18], not something much worse such as murder. Also, the photo used of him in the countless media reports showed a good-looking young man with a charming smile rather than a ruthless terrorist, even though he had been a part of the IRA since the early 1970s [19]. Margaret Thatcher refused to budge, as she thought giving the prisoners their concessions amounted to “being soft on terrorism” [20], even after Sands was voted into becoming an MP [21]. Sands died on the 5th of May 1981 [22], and though there was little sympathy from the British, “his death generated a huge wave of emotion… an estimated 100,000 people attending his funeral” [23]. Opposition MPs in India had a minute of silence for Sands. [24] Nelson Mandela was inspired to start his own hunger strike on Robben Island. [25] Sands was later mentioned by Fidel Castro during one of his speeches. [26] The media had set its eyes on Belfast, and the dispute between the Unionist and Republicans was brought to the world stage. =Legacy= After 9 more deaths, the hunger strike finished in October because the families of the strikers intervened [27]. Bobby Sands’ plight created a deeper divide between the two sides, and “radicalized recruits flocked” [28] to the IRA and Sinn Féin, causing successes for the Republicans from then on. ** Word Count **: 598

Evaluation of Sources = Source A: Margaret Thatcher’s Speech at Stormont Castle lunch, May 28th 1981 = Christopher Collins (web address renewed 24-Dec-2009). **//Speech at Stormont Castle lunch | Margaret Thatcher Foundation//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 24rd August 2013] The value of this source in terms of its origin is that it comes from Thatcher, leader of the Unionists, in a speech to the government of Northern Ireland, so we know it is her opinion on the state of affairs. However, the origin of this source also has limitations. By saying “It is a tragedy that young men should be…ordered to starve themselves to death for a futile cause” [29], it shows that she doesn’t know everything about the situation, as it appears she is unaware that the IRA initially denounced the hunger strikes [30]. The value of this source in relation to its purpose is that it clearly shows us the Unionist opinion and their lack of sympathy for the strikers. It also shows exactly how Thatcher perceived the situation, as she talks about “PIRA terrorism” [31] regularly. However, the source’s purpose has its limitations, as the use of phrases like “men of violence” [32] show obvious bias toward the Unionist side. More importantly, the speech is not consistent with other evidence about Thatcher’s opinion, like the allegations that emerged in 2006 claiming she offered the IRA a secret deal to stop the strike [33] around the time this speech was made. ** Word Count **: 200

= Source B: //Hunger// = Steve McQueen (Director). (2008). **//Hunger//** [Motion picture]. Icon Film Distribution. The value of this source in terms of its origin is that Steve Mc Queen, director of the film, has not expressed an opinion on the strikers’ conflict and doesn’t show signs of bias during the film. He is more interested in showing the conditions of the prison and exploring “the whole idea of the body as a weapon” [34]. On the other hand, we must acknowledge that this neutral output from McQueen causes the film to lack usefulness to the historian studying the Troubles and Sands’ significance in general. In relation to its purpose, the value of this source is that it shows us an accurate depiction of life inside the prison [35] and the reasoning behind Sands’ hunger strike. In the film, Sands says: “I’m clear of the repercussions. But I will act, and I will not stand by and do nothing.” [36]. However, the film’s purpose has limitations. McQueen has said that the film has “no simplistic notion of ‘hero’ or ‘martyr’ or ‘victim’.” [37] and that “[//Hunger//] is not a historical record” [38]. This makes us believe that its purpose is using Sands as a backdrop for the viewer to “challenge morality” [39] and experience self-reflection in an artistic way. ** Word Count **: 200

// Analysis // = Critical Analysis of evidence = =Practical Impact= In the short term, Sands’ protest made a practical impact as the prisoners did acquire some of their demands. Within days of the protest’s conclusion the Northern Irish government “eased regulations to allow prisoners to wear their own clothes at all times and made limited concessions on the other demands” [40]. This is where Thatcher’s speech starts to feel unreliable, as she claims she would never let the prisoners have their demands, (“This Government is not prepared to legitimise their cause by word or by deed “ [41] ) yet after few days after the strike their demands are “eased” in. =Moral Impact= The strike itself is morally debateable. Sands describes his reasoning behind the strike in a diary he wrote during his first 17 days of striking: “I am dying not just to attempt to end the barbarity of H-block [42], or to gain the rightful recognition of a political prisoner, but primarily because what is lost in here is lost for the Republic and those wretched oppressed whom I am deeply proud to know as the ‘risen people’” [43]. Sands’ reasoning is what the film //Hunger// tried to tackle, but movies such as this may have fabricated or tweaked truths to make it more exciting for the viewer. For example, the story Sands tells of his trip to Donegal may not be true and Sands’ quote “I’m clear of the reasons Don. I’m clear of the repercussions. But I will act, and I will not stand by and do nothing.” [44] doesn’t match up perfectly with his real reasoning, making the film an unreliable source to someone researching Sands’ impact on the Troubles. =Political Impact= In a political sense, the hunger strike had a massive impact on Irish politics in the long term. The frustrations after the strike led to a wave of support for the Republicans, including Sinn Féin, the Republican political party, being voted into a seat in the UK government in 1983. Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Féin said later about the hunger strikes: “Physically, emotionally and spiritually, the hunger strike was intensely draining; yet we derived immense new energy, commitment and direction from the extraordinary period during which our ten comrades slowly and painfully sacrificed their lives.” [45] =Cultural Impact= Sands’ hunger strike has also made a cultural impact, as even today Sands is prominent in Sinn Féin propaganda. Many books and articles have been made about the hunger strike and the life and works of Sands, as well as the film //Hunger// in 2008. One book written about the Troubles in general but has a prominent and detailed section about Sands and the hunger strike is //Making Sense of the Troubles// by David McKittrick and David McVea, which I believe is a reliable source because it intends to be a unbiased and easy-to-follow narrative of the events of the Troubles (“this work is intended as a straightforward and accessible account of the Troubles” [46] ), and I believe it succeeds in that. Two articles, both used in Section B, were written in 2011 to remember Sands 30 years after his death and I believe their reliability is debateable, though one is more reliable than the other. The Huffington Post article is the more reliable of the two as it only has a slight tinge of bias towards the Republican side, as it seems very supportive of Sands’ cause by saying he “continues to provide inspiration to political prisoners everywhere” [47] and by calling the British police “bigoted” [48]. The other article, by Danny Morrison for the Guardian, is much more biased towards the Republican side. This is because he was a member of the IRA and remains to be a Republican activist today. He calls the British army “greater oppressors” [49] than the IRA and claims that “the stature of Bobby Sands in history has only increased” [50], proving that he is biased towards the Republicans. ** Word Count **: 635

// Conclusion // In conclusion, without Bobby Sands the second hunger strike at HM Maze prison probably would not have been as effective as it was for the Catholics. Though it is true that they were distraught those that died for their cause, the fact that their plight was brought to the world stage, and sympathized for, and the fact that their organizations saw a massive increase in new recruits (which resulted in the beginning of political importance for Sinn Féin) cannot be ignored. These things could not have happened without Sands and his media-friendly appearance, as well as his self-belief and passion for his cause. Other hunger strikes throughout history, such as those of Marion Dunlop or Mahatma Ghandi, have shown that the strikers themselves can receive their demands without having to take their lives. In this case, Bobby did not get his ‘special status’ himself or live to see the results of his actions, but his fellow prisoners acquired his demands. More importantly, his cause made a massive impact on Irish politics, his name was known throughout the world, and he became, and still is, an important individual in a long and troubling period for his home. ** Word Count **: 194

// List of Sources // =Books and Articles= David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657). Ellen Herb (web address renewed 31-Oct-2009). **//History Through an Unblinking Lens//** [ONLINE]. Available at: [] [last accessed: 24rd August 2013] Guardian News & Media Limited. **//Thirty years on, Bobby Sands’s stature has only grown | Danny Morrison |Comment is free |theguardian.com//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] John Wight (web address renewed 27-Aug-2013). **//John Wight: Over Three Decades On The Death Of Bobby Sands Still Resonates//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] Kevin Mangan. **//The Pain and Beauty of Hunger | Irish America//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeney, David McKittrick, David McVea and Chris Thronton (2007). //Lost Lives//. Edinburgh: Mainstream (ISBN: 97840185041). Telegraph Media Group Limited (web address renewed 28-Jul-2013). **//1981 files: Margaret Thatcher's secret bid to end IRA hunger strikes - Telegraph//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 23rd August 2013] The Independent Film Channel LLC. **//Steve McQueen Touches History in Hunger//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] =Movies= Steve McQueen (Director). (2008). **//Hunger//** [Motion picture]. Icon Film Distribution. [See Appendix B] =Images= Tu Tsao (web address renewed 15/02/2011 nic@nic.fr). **//Beany Adventures//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 25th August 2013] flixster admin. **//Hunger - Rotten Tomatoes//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 9th October 2013] =Websites= Bobby Sands Trust. **//Prison Diary : Bobby Sands Trust//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 28th September 2013] Christopher Collins (web address renewed 24-Dec-2009). **//Speech at Stormont Castle lunch | Margaret Thatcher Foundation//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 24rd August 2013] [See Appendix A] // Appendices // =Appendix A: Margaret Thatcher’s Speech at Stormont Castle lunch, May 28th 1981= Christopher Collins (web address renewed 24-Dec-2009). **//Speech at Stormont Castle lunch | Margaret Thatcher Foundation//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 24rd August 2013] When I visited Belfast in March, I said that it should be as normal for the Prime Minister to visit Northern Ireland as to visit any other part of the United Kingdom. And so I have come again today. I am here to bear witness once more to the Government's commitment, and to my own personal commitment, to the future of the Province. We are committed to the well being of all the people of Northern Ireland. The men of violence are enemies of law abiding citizens everywhere. As Pope John Paul said at Drogheda "Violence destroys what it claims to defend: the dignity, the life, the freedom of human beings. Violence is a crime against humanity, for it destroys the very fabric of society". The terrorism to which His Holiness has now himself fallen victim is the same as that from which we suffer here in Northern Ireland. It is a terrorism which says "give me what I demand or I will kill, capture or maim indiscriminately". I have seen myself this morning how in spite of everything the people of Belfast are carrying on the commercial and industrial life of the city. But I know how great are the hardships and the difficulties.[fo 1] Worse than the damage to the economy is the physical harm to people's lives and the effect on the minds of young people. We know how children are being used by evil men as shields and as tools. Young people are being taught to practice violence as a way of life. Many have never known peace, stability and freedom from fear. Meanwhile the suffering is being inflicted on all sections of the population. The security forces are the targets of PIRA terrorism; the Protestant community of their threats, the Catholic community of their intimidation. Beginning of section checked against BBC Radio News Report 1800 28 May 1981: Faced with the failure of their discredited cause, the men of violence have chosen in recent months to play what may well be their last card. They have turned their violence against themselves through the prison hunger strike to death. They seek to work on the most basic of human emotions—pity—as a means of creating tension and stoking the fires of bitterness and hatred. End of section checked against BBC Radio News Report 1800 28 May 1981. In doing so the PIRA have put the Catholic Community on the rack. Our heart goes out to all those there who are finding themselves in an increasingly intolerable position—especially perhaps to the parents; our encouragement goes to the many—including the clergy of the Catholic Church—who are urging the rejection of the arguments of the extremists. People say that something must be wrong when such things can happen. They are right. But the present situation is not of the Government's choosing. It is a tragedy that young men should be persuaded, coerced or ordered to starve themselves to death for a futile cause. Neither I nor any of my colleagues wish to see a single person die of violence in Northern Ireland—policemen, soldier, civilian or prisoner on hunger strike. We welcome the decision of one hunger striker yesterday to take food.[fo 2] The PIRA take a different view. It would seem that dead hunger strikers, who have extinguished their own lives, are of more use to PIRA than living members. Such is their calculated cynicism. [Beginning of section checked against BBC Radio News Report 1800 28 May 1981:] This Government is not prepared to legitimise their cause by word or by deed. And we should be clear what that cause is. It is a dictatorship by force and by fear in Northern Ireland, and in the Republic. These men deny democracy everywhere; they seek power for themselves. End of section checked against BBC Radio News Report 1800 28 May 1981. Some people argue that the Government could make the problem go away. We can of course maintain and improve an already humane prison regime. But there is no point in pretending that this is what the PIRA want. [Beginning of section checked against BBC Radio News Report 1800 28 May 1981:] They have remained inflexible and intransigent in the face of all that we have done because what they want is special treatment, treatment different from that received by other prisoners. They want their violence justified. It isn't, and it will not be. End of section checked against BBC Radio News Report 1800 28 May 1981. I recognise that the present violence has its roots deep in the past. That is part of the agony of Northern Ireland. The Government has consistently and impartially sought to eradicate the causes of discontent. We will continue to do so. But past failure cannot justify crime and violence today. Nothing good can come from them. They cause present grief and sow the seeds of future pain and sorrow. Government can staunchly uphold the law and ensure that it is applied equally and fairly. This we have done and will continue to do for our duty is to all the citizens of Northern Ireland. But the Government cannot bring peace and tranquillity. These things are not in our gift. The necessary will, desire and understanding can only come from the hearts and[fo 3] minds of men and women here in the Province. No Government can make people thoughtful and considerate towards one and other. Only they themselves can do that. Surely it is now time to make a supreme effort to achieve that freedom from fear which should be the birthright of every child and which should be commonplace in every democracy. Each of you may be asking what any one person can do. But no-one can opt out. No-one who cares, who really cares, can be indifferent or passive. I do care about the future of the people of Northern Ireland. I care very much indeed. I have no time for hate. I also know that "when bad men combine the good must associate". It is up to you, too. My abiding hope is that humanity will prevail and that your children will grow up in happiness. = = =Appendix B: Hunger= Steve McQueen (Director). (2008). **//Hunger//** [Motion picture]. Icon Film Distribution. //Promotional Image for Hunger released by Icon Film Distribution**[51]**//

[1] Image: Tu Tsao (web address renewed 15/02/2011 nic@nic.fr). Beany Adventures [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 25th August 2013] [2] Bobby Sands Trust. **//Prison Diary : Bobby Sands Trust//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 28th September 2013] [3] //Making Sense of the Troubles// was written by David McKittrick and David McVea and //Lost Lives// was written by Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeney, David McKittrick, David McVea and Chris Thronton (See List of Sources) [4] This includes the 2008 film //Hunger//, Margaret Thatcher’s May 28th 1981 speech at Stormont Castle, articles from modern issues of newspapers such as the Huffington Post and the Guardian and websites that provided sources for statements during the essay on subjects such as the film //Hunger// or Sands’ diaries (See List of Sources) [5] David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.1 [6] Ibid., pg.2 [7] Ibid., pg.2 [8] William Whitelaw was the Secretary of State in Northern Island at the time. [9] “…at a time when [Whitelaw] was anxious to open exploratory links with the IRA.” David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.159 [10] John Wight (web address renewed 27-Aug-2013). **//John Wight: Over Three Decades On The Death Of Bobby Sands Still Resonates//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] [11] This “dirty protest” involved prisoners refusing to leave their cells, not wearing any clothes, leaving chamber pot excrement and meal leftovers on the floors and it then escalated to prisoners spreading excrement on the walls. The prison authorizes had to forcibly remove prisoners to make them have baths and shave while they steam-cleaned their cells with special equipment. David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.162-163 [12] “…he had found conditions similar ‘to the plight of people living in sewer-pipes in the slums of Calcutta’.” ibid., pg.163 [13] “Although a major propaganda war raged between the republicans and the government from then on, there was still only minimal sympathy for the prisoners.”ibid., pg.163 [14] “…the overall republican leadership was very much against the idea, Adams [Gerry Adams, a republican leader who went on to become the president of Sinn Féin, the republican political party] recording that he wrote to the prisoners: ‘We are tactically, strategically, physically and morally opposed to a hunger strike.’” David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.164 [15] “There were five demands: the right to wear their own clothes; no prison-dictated word; free association; weekly letters, visits and parcels, and the restoration of all remission lost as a result of the protests.” ibid., pg.164 [16] “The IRA felt that the hunger strikes represented a serious diversion of resources of all kinds from their main campaign of violence, and feared another damaging and divisive failure.” ibid., pg.165 [17] Ibid., pg.166 [18] Guardian News & Media Limited. **//Thirty years on, Bobby Sands’s stature has only grown | Danny Morrison |Comment is free |theguardian.com//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] [19] “[Sands] became both a coachbuilder and an active member of the IRA. He was first jailed for IRA offences from 1973 until 1976.” Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeney, David McKittrick, David McVea and Chris Thronton (2007). //Lost Lives//. Edinburgh: Mainstream (ISBN: 97840185041) pg.858 [20] Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeney, David McKittrick, David McVea and Chris Thronton (2007). //Lost Lives//. Edinburgh: Mainstream (ISBN: 97840185041) pg.858 [21] “Five days after Sands began refusing food, independent nationalist MP Frank Maguire died suddenly, creating a by-election in the Fermanagh-South Tyrone Westminster constituency… Sands became the sole nationalist candidate. In the election he beat Harry West…” ibid., pg.166-67 [22] Seamus Kelters, Brian Feeney, David McKittrick, David McVea and Chris Thronton (2007). //Lost Lives//. Edinburgh: Mainstream (ISBN: 97840185041) pg.857 [23] David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.167 [24] “Upon Sands's death, opposition MPs in the Indian Parliament observed a minute's silence.” John Wight (web address renewed 27-Aug-2013). **//John Wight: Over Three Decades On The Death Of Bobby Sands Still Resonates//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] [25] “Following their example, Nelson Mandela led a hunger by prisoners on Robben Island to improve their own conditions” ibid., [26] “Cuban President Fidel Castro spoke about Sands and his comrades during one of his speeches.” ibid., [27] “In October the hunger strikers called off the protest, thwarted by their families rather than by the government or the prison authorities.” ibid., pg.169 [28] David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.171 [29] Extract from [Christopher Collins (web address renewed 24-Dec-2009). **//Speech at Stormont Castle lunch | Margaret Thatcher Foundation//** [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104657. [last accessed: 24rd August 2013]] – Appendix A [30] “The IRA felt that the hunger strikes represented a serious diversion of resources of all kinds from their main campaign of violence, and feared another damaging and divisive failure.” David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.165 [31] Extract from [Christopher Collins (web address renewed 24-Dec-2009). **//Speech at Stormont Castle lunch | Margaret Thatcher Foundation//** [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104657. [last accessed: 24rd August 2013]] – Appendix A [32] Ibd., - Appendix A [33] “MI6 made secret attempts to negotiate an end to the IRA hunger strikes in the Maze prison, new documents released under the 30-year rule reveal.” Telegraph Media Group Limited (web address renewed 28-Jul-2013). **//1981 files: Margaret Thatcher's secret bid to end IRA hunger strikes - Telegraph//** [ONLINE]. Available at:[]. [34] ““It’s the whole idea of the body as a weapon,” Mr. McQueen said. “If that’s all you have, how do you use it?”” Ellen Herb (web address renewed 2011-08-31). **//History Through an Unblinking Lens//** [ONLINE]. Available at: [] [last accessed: 24rd August 2013] [35] “Mr. McQueen immersed himself in research… Most useful of all was the week [McQueen] and his screenwriter, the Irish playwright Enda Walsh, spent interviewing former I.R.A. inmates and prison officers ” ibid., [36] Extract from [Steve McQueen (Director). (2008). **//Hunger//** [Motion picture]. Icon Film Distribution.] – Appendix B [37] Kevin Mangan. **//The Pain and Beauty of Hunger | Irish America//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] [38] The Independent Film Channel LLC. **//Steve McQueen Touches History in Hunger//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] [39] McQueen: “My intention is to provoke debate in the audience, to challenge our own morality through film” Kevin Mangan. **//The Pain and Beauty of Hunger | Irish America//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] [40] David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.169 [41] Extract from [Christopher Collins (web address renewed 24-Dec-2009). **//Speech at Stormont Castle lunch | Margaret Thatcher Foundation//** [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104657. [last accessed: 24rd August 2013]] – Appendix A [42] H-block was the name of the prison block in HM Maze that the political prisoners were being held. [43] Bobby Sands Trust. **//Prison Diary : Bobby Sands Trust//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 28th September 2013] [44] Extract from [Steve McQueen (Director). (2008). **//Hunger//** [Motion picture]. Icon Film Distribution.] – Appendix B [45] David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.172 [46] David McKittrick, David McVea (2012). //Making Sense of the Troubles//. London: Penguin (ISBN: 9780241962657) pg.387 [47] John Wight (web address renewed 27-Aug-2013). **//John Wight: Over Three Decades On The Death Of Bobby Sands Still Resonates//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] [48] idib., [49] Guardian News & Media Limited. **//Thirty years on, Bobby Sands’s stature has only grown | Danny Morrison |Comment is free |theguardian.com//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 4th October 2013] [50] idib., [51] flixster admin. **//Hunger - Rotten Tomatoes//** [ONLINE]. Available at: []. [last accessed: 9th October 2013]