1923 Irish hunger strikes

In October 1923 mass hunger strikes were undertaken by Irish republican prisoners protesting the continuation of their internment without trial.

In the early part of 20th century hunger strikes were adopted as a protest of last resort by Irish republican prisoners.

[5] Peadar Clancy and Frank Gallagher led the Mountjoy hunger strikers and refused all concessions from the prison authorities.

[7] On 13 August 1920 seventy-eight Irish republican prisoners went on hunger strike in Cork County Gaol demanding a general, immediate and unconditional release.

These work stoppages were organised by the city's Civic and Labour Council allowing workers to attend masses for the hunger strikers.

"[12] With no decisive battle or formal surrender by the anti- treaty IRA, Republicans continued to be rounded up and interned by the Irish Free State Army.

[13] The civil war was now ended, but the Irish Free State still had to deal with at least 12,000 anti treaty men and women in prison.

[14] The Free State government did not issue a general amnesty to the IRA internees until the following year (1924), leaving many republican prisoners interned long after the ending of the war.

[18] Annie (Nan) Hogan of Cumann na mBan died at the age of 24 after being released from prison (September 1923) "in a very emaciated state" due to her participation in hunger strikes in Kilmainham and the North Dublin Union jails.

[21] Constance Markievicz was a leader of Sinn Fein, a revolutionary who opposed the Anglo Irish treaty and was the first woman to be elected to the British parliament (she refused to take her seat).

She was arrested several times and in November 1923, went on hunger strike until all Irish Republican women prisoners were released – just prior to Christmas.

[27] Irish Civil War internees were led by Peadar O'Donnell who asked the IRA General Headquarters (GHQ) to pass a message to the other prisons and camps advising them of their intentions to begin a hunger strike.

Previously, the Irish Free State government had passed a motion outlawing the release of prisoners on hunger strike.

[38] The protest was called off on 23 November 1923 by leadership in the prisons/camps – Thomas Derrig in Kilmainham Gaol, Michael Kilroy, Frank Gallagher and Peadar O'Donnell in Mountjoy.

[42] With the end of the mass hunger strikes many men were released within a month, on the condition that they sign an oath of loyalty to the newly established Irish Free State.

Prisoner leader Peadar O'Donnell expressed his feelings on the required signature: "...they demanded that each one sign a form that he would accept the rule of the new garrison in Ireland.

[45] Ernie O'Malley - the assistant chief of staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA during the Irish Civil War was released from the Curragh, along with Seán Russell, on 17 July 1924, well over a year after the end of hostilities.