INLA Prisoners Go on Sympathy Hunger Strike

Irish Republican Socialist Party - International Department
Press Release - 30 July 2001

The International Department of the Irish Republican Socialist Party issued a statement stating that Irish National Liberation Army prisoners of war have begun a hunger strike to demonstrate solidarity with the Left-wing prisoners on hunger strike in Turkey.

The Hunger Strike started at 12:00 midnight Sunday night and will go on until Friday. All nine INLA prisoners in Portlaoise, Maghaberry, and Magilligan prisons will take part in the protest.

The international office of the IRSP began a campaign to target travel agencies across Ireland and England with poster showing images of the hunger strikers. This campaign has already been taken up by the IRSP in Derry and Strabane.

Terry h Earcain, spokesman for the IRSP in London, speaking to the Derry Journal, said the public in the Derry city should answer the call to boycott holiday destinations in Turkey, because they know well the loss that takes accompanies a hunger strike, since two Derry men died on hunger strike in Long Kesh in 1981. Mr. Earcain recently travelled to Turkey to demonstrate solidarity with the hunger strike and visited with several of those on hunger strike, on of whom died within twelve hours of the visit.

The IRSP have been active throughout the 32 counties of Ireland, as well as in England, Scotland, the United States, and Canada in support of the Turkish hunger strike.

ENDS