The first hunger-striker was Thomas Ashe and the 1916 Societies National Hunger-Strike Commemoration will end here with speeches from two ex-hunger strikers. Thomas Ashe, Died September 26th 1917 Regarded as the first Irish republican to suffer death through hungerstrike (although many Fenians, Young Irelanders and United Irishmen had gone through hungerstrike, none had died while striking but many later did through related health complications). A Kerryman from near Dingle, he commanded the Battle of Ashbourne, Co. Meath during the 1916 rising. He was sentenced to death after the Rising, but this was commuted to life and he was sent to Lewes prison in England. Following his release he was rearrested for giving a seditious speech and sentenced to 2 years hard labour. He commenced a hunger strike for recognition as a prisoner of war. He died in the Mater hospital, Dublin as a result of force feeding. His funeral was a massive event that brought Dublin to a standstill. He is buried in the Republican plot in Glasnevin cemetery, Dublin. Taken from nga.ie
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 13:00:01 +0000
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