Gerry Adams pays tribute as mother of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands passes away
TRIBUTES have been paid to the mother of IRA hunger striker and MP Bobby Sands.
Rosaleen Sands’ death was announced yesterday by Sinn Fein, with party president Gerry Adams calling her a “strong, inspirational woman”.
“I was extremely saddened to learn of Rosaleen’s death and, on behalf of Sinn Fein, I extend condolences to the entire Sands clan,” he said.
“Rosaleen was a strong, inspirational woman who, like all families of the hunger strikers, bore immense pain but stood by her son Bobby during the darkest of times.”
On May 5, 1981, the 27-yearold Sands became the first of 10 republicans to die on hunger strike after 66 days of fasting in the Maze Prison.
He was campaigning to be treated as a political prisoner by Margaret Thatcher’s Government.
One month before his death he was returned as the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in a by-election. He was seen as a martyr by republicans, but as a dangerous terrorist by unionists and the Government, given his sentencing for firearms offences.
His mother supported him throughout, speaking to reporters outside the prison.
On one occasion she was asked if she would support feeding him intravenously.
“He told me not to,” she said. “It’s a sad thing to say, I love my son just like any other mother does, but I wouldn’t; he asked me not to and I’ve promised him not to.”
After his death she called for no violence.
“I would like to appeal to the people to remain calm and have no fighting, death or destruction,” she told reporters.
“My son’s offered his life for better conditions in prison but not to cause further death outside.”
In his tribute, Mr Adams added: “The dignity and strength she displayed was a testament to her character and her belief in standing up for what was right
and just, even if that meant great suffering for herself, Bobby’s father John and their family.
“In many ways she epitomised what all the mothers of the hunger strikers endured, and her sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
West Belfast Sinn Fein MP
Paul Maskey said he was “extremely saddened” by Mrs Sands’ passing.
“Rosaleen was an inspirational woman with immense dignity, strength and courage,” he added.
“Despite the unquantifiable
pain of her son being on hunger strike, she never wavered and always stood by Bobby,”
In 2016 a documentary film on Sands — 66 days — sharply divided opinion.
Critics said it painted a romantic picture of Sands, while
others praised it for a balanced view of the Troubles. At the time families of IRA victims produced their own film — Remembering Those Who Had No Choice — telling the stories of 57 people who were killed over the period of the hunger strike.