1 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:20,000 HUNGER (2008) 2 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:55,159 Northern Ireland 1981 3 00:00:56,193 --> 00:01:01,781 2187 people have been killed in "The Troubles" since 1969. 4 00:01:05,261 --> 00:01:11,289 The British Government has withdrawn the political status of all paramilitary prisoners. 5 00:01:13,313 --> 00:01:20,716 Irish Republicans in the Maze Prison are on a "blanket" and "no wash" protest. 6 00:04:29,516 --> 00:04:32,777 There is a dirty protest, the Blanket Protest, which has been going on for years, 7 00:04:32,866 --> 00:04:36,223 all in support of the same demand: political status. 8 00:04:36,312 --> 00:04:38,746 That is to say, different treatment for people who commit crimes, 9 00:04:38,835 --> 00:04:42,073 hideous crimes, 10 00:04:42,162 --> 00:04:44,429 for what they claim to be a political motive 11 00:04:44,519 --> 00:04:47,537 and that is what the Government will not grant. 12 00:05:34,672 --> 00:05:37,108 So Daniel he eears a noise coming from his Granny's room 13 00:05:37,620 --> 00:05:39,603 he runs up to his Granny's room, he opens the door 14 00:05:39,604 --> 00:05:41,977 and there's a waifer having a go with his Granny. 15 00:05:41,978 --> 00:05:45,712 The naughty fellow turns around and says: See, it's not so fucking funny with a German one. 16 00:09:02,601 --> 00:09:08,877 There is no such thing as political murder, political bombing or political violence. 17 00:09:08,967 --> 00:09:14,649 There is only criminal murder, criminal bombing and criminal violence. 18 00:09:15,171 --> 00:09:23,130 We will not compromise on this There will be no political status. 19 00:09:54,733 --> 00:09:57,878 I will not wear the uniform of a criminal. 20 00:09:57,967 --> 00:10:01,182 I demand to wear me own clothes. 21 00:10:02,073 --> 00:10:16,880 Non-conforming prisoner 08-12-1980 22 00:14:36,075 --> 00:14:38,412 What? 23 00:14:42,669 --> 00:14:45,491 What's it you say your name is again ? 24 00:14:46,556 --> 00:14:49,850 Gilan. - Gilan. - Aye. 25 00:14:50,971 --> 00:14:53,413 Fancy Quinn. 26 00:14:54,869 --> 00:14:58,418 Falls Road. Fancy Quinn. Do you know him? 27 00:15:00,141 --> 00:15:02,738 No. No ? 28 00:15:07,366 --> 00:15:09,704 How long did you get ? 29 00:15:10,001 --> 00:15:12,357 Twelve years. 30 00:15:14,619 --> 00:15:17,282 And you? 31 00:15:20,969 --> 00:15:25,370 Six years. Six. Six ? 32 00:15:25,459 --> 00:15:28,172 Aye. 33 00:15:29,745 --> 00:15:32,792 You lucky bastard. 34 00:22:59,844 --> 00:23:04,619 ...the political adviser of Merlin Reese when he was at the Home Office with Roger Darlington. 35 00:23:04,709 --> 00:23:10,053 He rejects the official position on phone taps, saying that there has been only a modest overall increase. 36 00:23:10,251 --> 00:23:13,691 and says that Parliament has no way of knowing how much tapping goes on 37 00:23:13,700 --> 00:23:20,626 because the Prime Minister and other senior Ministers don't even have to get warrants to get a tap put into effect. 38 00:26:07,967 --> 00:26:10,005 What ? 39 00:26:10,465 --> 00:26:13,022 Get ready. 40 00:31:04,639 --> 00:31:08,855 Are you ll right, Bobby? I'm grand Ma. 41 00:31:09,708 --> 00:31:15,158 Are they giving you treatment for that ? It's been looked after. 42 00:31:17,807 --> 00:31:20,002 And the young fellow ? 43 00:31:20,572 --> 00:31:23,804 He's a handful, I tell you that. 44 00:31:24,758 --> 00:31:27,608 Are you eating all right ? - I'm grand, Ma. 45 00:31:27,697 --> 00:31:32,229 Are they feeding you all right ? - Don't you two be worrying about me. 46 00:31:34,319 --> 00:31:36,550 Five minutes. 47 00:31:37,084 --> 00:31:39,699 Five minutes . 48 00:31:41,198 --> 00:31:43,796 You eating all right ? Aye... 49 00:31:43,885 --> 00:31:47,513 It tastes like shit, doesn't it ? You get used to it. 50 00:31:52,288 --> 00:31:54,755 You're looking well. 51 00:31:56,170 --> 00:32:00,493 So are you, son. So are you. 52 00:32:16,305 --> 00:32:19,995 The righteous cry out. And the Lord hears them. 53 00:32:20,085 --> 00:32:23,224 He delivers them from all their troubles. 54 00:32:23,314 --> 00:32:29,534 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are Christians first. 55 00:32:29,624 --> 00:32:35,279 The righteous man has many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. 56 00:32:35,369 --> 00:32:40,530 He protects all his bones and not one of them will be broken. 57 00:32:43,095 --> 00:32:49,327 Evil will slay the wicked and the foes of the righteous will be condemned. 58 00:32:49,417 --> 00:32:52,208 The Lord redeems his servants. 59 00:32:52,298 --> 00:32:56,829 No one will be condemned, who finds refuge in Him. 60 00:33:03,691 --> 00:33:06,045 Let us pray. 61 00:37:06,010 --> 00:37:09,971 Damn dirty bastards! - Fucking dirty bastards! 62 00:37:32,021 --> 00:37:35,987 I - I - I. R. A. I - I - I. R. A. 63 00:37:36,076 --> 00:37:41,752 I - I - I. R. A. I - I - I. R. A. Fucking bastards. 64 00:38:30,776 --> 00:38:34,718 Everything in order ? - Yes, sir, in order, sir. 65 00:38:34,808 --> 00:38:37,080 Very good. 66 00:40:26,940 --> 00:40:30,190 John. John! 67 00:40:55,290 --> 00:40:59,890 Get the fuck off me. 68 00:41:05,451 --> 00:41:07,685 See that? See that? 69 00:41:07,775 --> 00:41:10,483 Get the fuck off me. 70 00:41:11,986 --> 00:41:16,738 What are you doing to him? 71 00:41:18,102 --> 00:41:21,892 Get the fuck off me, you damn ... 72 00:44:04,402 --> 00:44:06,665 Hi Mom. 73 00:44:18,624 --> 00:44:21,810 Why are you doing sitting in here? 74 00:44:49,766 --> 00:44:52,438 Daisies. 75 00:45:44,935 --> 00:45:46,712 You can sit down any time you like. 76 00:45:46,802 --> 00:45:49,979 Priest etiquette. Never sit before you're asked. 77 00:45:50,069 --> 00:45:52,080 Sit down, Don. 78 00:45:52,170 --> 00:45:56,641 Don't look them over till you're eager. Best to hover at the door. 79 00:45:56,868 --> 00:46:00,414 You learned that your first week at the seminary, boy. 80 00:46:05,528 --> 00:46:08,475 Cig ? Come on. 81 00:46:12,175 --> 00:46:16,810 Bit of a break from smoking the Bible, eh? 82 00:46:19,616 --> 00:46:22,154 Work out which pick is the best smoke ? 83 00:46:22,243 --> 00:46:27,598 We only smoke the Lamentations. Just right for a cigarette. 84 00:46:27,688 --> 00:46:31,777 Nice room. Very clean. 85 00:46:31,867 --> 00:46:34,467 Where is it you're from again, Don ? Guess. 86 00:46:34,557 --> 00:46:36,466 Ballygobackwards. 87 00:46:36,556 --> 00:46:39,467 Oh, the city dog. - Ballyroberts. 88 00:46:39,556 --> 00:46:43,464 We play south of Ballymonie: Kilrea. 89 00:46:44,383 --> 00:46:49,337 I remember a homily you did in March sometime. Will you listen to it ? 90 00:46:49,427 --> 00:46:52,402 I'm sure the men hold you in high esteem. I can feel a dig coming on. 91 00:46:52,491 --> 00:46:54,735 You're very quick. Right. 92 00:46:54,847 --> 00:46:57,563 No, you're respected, you know that. 93 00:46:57,893 --> 00:47:00,073 I like those stories you tell about the countryside. 94 00:47:00,163 --> 00:47:04,223 A child held for poaching, robbing apples, stampeding cattle... 95 00:47:04,313 --> 00:47:08,137 Fine education for a priest. A priest working in West Belfast ? It is, aye. 96 00:47:08,227 --> 00:47:10,008 Stampeding comes in handy down in the Falls Road, eh ? 97 00:47:10,097 --> 00:47:11,792 The RUC hate me. (Royal Ulster Police, Protestant police.) 98 00:47:11,881 --> 00:47:13,613 You miss it though ? - What? 99 00:47:13,703 --> 00:47:15,062 The countryside. 100 00:47:15,152 --> 00:47:17,723 I sort of get home and see my wee brother every month or so... 101 00:47:17,813 --> 00:47:22,163 but I miss the usual clean air... space, all that. 102 00:47:22,252 --> 00:47:26,796 It feels closer to who you are. That it is, no question. 103 00:47:28,319 --> 00:47:30,996 Something like a fish out of water working in a big city like Belfast... 104 00:47:31,085 --> 00:47:34,124 but it's a job, isn't it ? 105 00:47:34,302 --> 00:47:37,037 You stop looking around at your surroundings quick enough when you figure 106 00:47:37,127 --> 00:47:40,661 that your business is the business of the soul and all. 107 00:47:40,751 --> 00:47:42,898 Business of the soul ? Aye. You know what I mean. 108 00:47:42,987 --> 00:47:47,164 I'm going down the same way too ? Aye, and you can use that for your charge. 109 00:47:47,254 --> 00:47:49,398 Go on. 110 00:47:49,488 --> 00:47:52,216 Well, I suppose what I'm saying is... 111 00:47:52,305 --> 00:47:56,343 you get on. Kilrea can wait until I'm an old man. 112 00:47:56,433 --> 00:47:59,850 Too many scavengers will be saved in Belfast anyway. Busy work, aye. 113 00:47:59,939 --> 00:48:02,639 Should God award you in heaven ? Aye, and I'll be thankful. 114 00:48:02,728 --> 00:48:06,068 Once there's wine involved. 115 00:48:07,521 --> 00:48:10,573 So what does your wee brother do back home ? 116 00:48:12,447 --> 00:48:14,794 He is parish priest. 117 00:48:16,768 --> 00:48:19,496 He's a sneaky wee bastard. You know the sort, Bobby. 118 00:48:19,586 --> 00:48:22,410 Still goes poaching. Poaching jobs. 119 00:48:22,500 --> 00:48:26,772 And he's younger than me by 8 years all right. Go on. 120 00:48:27,557 --> 00:48:32,595 As a clergic, I work in a parish beside Kilrea. We hold the place... 121 00:48:32,684 --> 00:48:34,478 working my ass off. 122 00:48:34,567 --> 00:48:36,834 Escorting the elderly, mobile confession. 123 00:48:36,924 --> 00:48:38,925 The glamorous stuff. Oh, aye. 124 00:48:39,014 --> 00:48:42,963 So, anyway, the position comes up in Kilrea. Right. 125 00:48:43,052 --> 00:48:46,290 And I'm passed over for some reason or other. No reason, probably. 126 00:48:46,379 --> 00:48:48,875 For taking too much cake off the ladies. Probably. 127 00:48:48,965 --> 00:48:51,098 So ? 128 00:48:51,296 --> 00:48:55,086 So five years later the position again comes up back in Kilrea... 129 00:48:55,176 --> 00:49:01,491 and my brother Michael waltzes right in to it. Fuck. 130 00:49:02,368 --> 00:49:04,883 He is made parish priest at 28. 131 00:49:04,973 --> 00:49:07,996 More spiritual probably. Less liberal than you. 132 00:49:08,086 --> 00:49:11,630 He worked the bishop. He's a golfer. 133 00:49:11,772 --> 00:49:14,792 He's a pushy little twirp, that's what he is. At least you're not bitter. 134 00:49:14,882 --> 00:49:19,729 Oh no, I couldn't be that. Parish priest at 28 ? Fantastic. 135 00:49:19,819 --> 00:49:22,056 He has two cars. 136 00:49:22,146 --> 00:49:26,397 And the house he has is the most. He has a maid, a cook. 137 00:49:26,486 --> 00:49:28,572 I'm stuck in a two up two down. 138 00:49:28,661 --> 00:49:31,792 with a fat Kerry man who drones on and on about Gaelic football. 139 00:49:31,882 --> 00:49:35,263 Can we stop talking about that ? Jesus. You're the one who's talking. 140 00:49:38,210 --> 00:49:41,061 How's your smoke going ? Grand. 141 00:49:41,151 --> 00:49:44,475 Filthy habit. Disgusting. Oh, yeah, awful. Lovely, though. 142 00:49:44,565 --> 00:49:47,359 Aye. Praise the Lord. 143 00:49:50,257 --> 00:49:54,192 28. My God ! Oh, stop it. 144 00:49:57,021 --> 00:49:59,913 So, what happened to your eye, Bobby ? What ? 145 00:50:00,003 --> 00:50:03,289 Your eye ? Difference of opinion. 146 00:50:03,379 --> 00:50:07,508 How's the other fellow ? A lot worse. Believe me. 147 00:50:08,272 --> 00:50:11,811 So, what did you call me here for ? Why, was that the issue you were trying to avoid ? 148 00:50:11,901 --> 00:50:14,065 Priest etiquette. Start with the small talk. 149 00:50:14,155 --> 00:50:16,217 I'm learning a lot about the priesthood, Don. 150 00:50:16,307 --> 00:50:18,678 You'd make a fine priest. Why ? 151 00:50:18,767 --> 00:50:22,636 Good talker. Man of principles. A leader of men. A political terrorist. 152 00:50:22,725 --> 00:50:26,580 The church loves a reformed crook. Aye. 153 00:50:28,069 --> 00:50:31,449 I always felt that thief next to Jesus got off lightly. 154 00:50:31,539 --> 00:50:34,085 But he recognized his sins. Did he, though ? 155 00:50:34,174 --> 00:50:36,342 Aye. Said as much. 156 00:50:36,432 --> 00:50:38,863 When you're hung from a cross you're gonna say anything. 157 00:50:38,953 --> 00:50:42,269 Jesus offers him a seat next to his Daddy, in a place called Paradise. 158 00:50:42,359 --> 00:50:44,165 You know, you're always gonna put your hand up and ask if you can have a piece of that. 159 00:50:44,255 --> 00:50:47,543 Aye. Even when he's nailed to a cross. 160 00:50:47,882 --> 00:50:50,386 Jesus Christ ! That's sacrilegious. Sacrilegious. 161 00:50:50,476 --> 00:50:54,072 Aye. No, no. He was a dirty thief. 162 00:50:55,431 --> 00:50:58,681 So, what did you want me to tell me ? 163 00:50:58,885 --> 00:51:01,065 Where are you at ? 164 00:51:01,155 --> 00:51:03,585 Been driven mad by that Governor yet ? 165 00:51:03,675 --> 00:51:06,384 Says he's been negotiating. 166 00:51:06,822 --> 00:51:08,882 It's been a sideshow. I can tell you that for nothing. 167 00:51:08,971 --> 00:51:11,243 But you understand why you need to do it. 168 00:51:11,333 --> 00:51:16,370 Because we are no longer good propaganda. According to whom ? The leadership ? 169 00:51:17,268 --> 00:51:21,691 The time has come. A decision had to be made. 170 00:51:22,643 --> 00:51:25,345 Do you think that's what the leadership think ? 171 00:51:25,435 --> 00:51:28,884 Maybe. I do not know. Is there paranoia there, Bobby ? 172 00:51:32,004 --> 00:51:35,071 Ten thousand people marched for the seven hunger strikers last October, right? 173 00:51:35,160 --> 00:51:37,016 Right. International pressure on the Brits and all that. 174 00:51:37,106 --> 00:51:39,228 As your time... Even the Pope is having a say... 175 00:51:39,317 --> 00:51:44,078 getting involved. The whole world trying to get Maggie Thatcher to back down and give us our demands. 176 00:51:44,084 --> 00:51:45,262 But it all came to nothing. 177 00:51:45,352 --> 00:51:46,686 Right. 178 00:51:46,775 --> 00:51:49,138 The hunger strike failed. 179 00:51:49,227 --> 00:51:54,500 We are on the frontline. We created the protest. It's our responsibility. 180 00:51:54,590 --> 00:51:56,603 Leadership may be very clear to me, Don. 181 00:51:56,693 --> 00:51:58,731 Four and half years in a 'no wash' protest, 182 00:51:58,821 --> 00:52:01,685 as much as it has highlightes republicanism to some extent... 183 00:52:01,775 --> 00:52:04,398 it has also distracted from the wider development of the organization. 184 00:52:04,488 --> 00:52:08,161 That's because your needs are specific needs. Of course they are. 185 00:52:08,250 --> 00:52:10,831 Some women bringing up three children in West Belfast 186 00:52:10,921 --> 00:52:14,915 shouldn't care about civilian type clothes or whatever the fuck they're calling these clown outfits. 187 00:52:15,005 --> 00:52:16,890 Not so. Honest to God, Don. 188 00:52:16,979 --> 00:52:20,135 We were promised our own clothes. It's childish sculduggery. 189 00:52:20,225 --> 00:52:23,245 So the leadership have had enough of you ? 190 00:52:24,714 --> 00:52:26,674 In an ideal world, 191 00:52:26,763 --> 00:52:30,056 we would be fighting our battles independently. But we're tied. 192 00:52:30,146 --> 00:52:32,178 Nothing has changed here, nothing has moved on. 193 00:52:32,267 --> 00:52:33,510 The leadership are stuck with us. 194 00:52:33,600 --> 00:52:36,419 until there's some realistic chance of moving towards political status. 195 00:52:36,509 --> 00:52:38,030 That's the hard truth of it. 196 00:52:38,120 --> 00:52:41,206 Say get me to negotiate with these lying, renegging monkeys. 197 00:52:41,296 --> 00:52:43,723 when there's never nothing on the table, it's just pure crap. 198 00:52:43,813 --> 00:52:45,937 I'm not going to be marching to this Governor's office and 199 00:52:46,027 --> 00:52:50,114 get caught up in some mindless, pointless dialogue with that pompous bastard. 200 00:52:50,204 --> 00:52:53,085 He is a big fan of yours. Take his two short planks, Don. A moron. 201 00:52:53,174 --> 00:52:56,196 Can you believe that they made him governor though ? It's a bloody insult to humanity. 202 00:52:56,286 --> 00:52:59,857 Mother of Jesus. Where do you get your energy from ? 203 00:53:00,005 --> 00:53:02,774 I was a cross-country runner when I was a boy. 204 00:53:03,138 --> 00:53:06,433 I could have guessed it. Big engine on you. 205 00:53:06,522 --> 00:53:09,282 Cross-country runner. 206 00:53:09,372 --> 00:53:13,413 That explains a lot about you, Bobby. I loved it so bad. 207 00:53:13,503 --> 00:53:15,153 That's the whole country thing for me. 208 00:53:15,243 --> 00:53:19,138 Jesus. They'd have to hold me back at finishing line or I'd keep on running. 209 00:53:19,228 --> 00:53:22,110 I was seen as a mongrel from out of the city. 210 00:53:22,199 --> 00:53:24,638 Frightening the cattle and all. It was a funny time. 211 00:53:24,728 --> 00:53:27,690 Frightened the cattle ? Oh, I terrified them. 212 00:53:27,780 --> 00:53:31,993 Think you can get milk and burgers from them monsters ? Jesus Christ ! 213 00:53:34,935 --> 00:53:38,730 The next time round I'm gonna be born in the countryside, guaranteed. 214 00:53:38,820 --> 00:53:42,949 Wild life, birds. I love all that. Paradise. 215 00:53:43,038 --> 00:53:48,325 Aye. And you'd learn to relax too. Aye. 216 00:53:48,414 --> 00:53:52,364 Maybe, you never know. I've never tried it before. 217 00:53:53,386 --> 00:53:56,583 I'm starting a hunger strike on the 1st of March. 218 00:53:57,860 --> 00:54:01,017 That's why you're here. That's what I'm telling you. 219 00:54:01,106 --> 00:54:04,083 Aye, I heard that. 220 00:54:07,421 --> 00:54:10,365 Does your family know ? I got word to them, aye. 221 00:54:10,455 --> 00:54:13,893 Have you spoken with them ? Got a visit in two week's time. We talked then. 222 00:54:13,983 --> 00:54:16,842 How do you think they will take it ? 223 00:54:16,987 --> 00:54:21,054 What do you think, Don ? And your wee boy ? 224 00:54:39,804 --> 00:54:43,947 So, what makes it different from the last time ? 225 00:54:45,495 --> 00:54:47,575 Last time the strike was flawed. 226 00:54:47,664 --> 00:54:51,554 It became emotional. Seven men started at the same time. 227 00:54:51,644 --> 00:54:53,493 They all got weak and couldn't let the weakest one die... 228 00:54:53,582 --> 00:54:55,904 which left us susceptible to being conned by the Brits 229 00:54:55,994 --> 00:54:59,151 And that is exactly what we were. Conned. 230 00:54:59,241 --> 00:55:02,570 This time out, the men will start consecutively two weeks apart 231 00:55:02,659 --> 00:55:04,315 Somebody dies, they'll be replaced. 232 00:55:04,405 --> 00:55:07,587 There is no shortage of us. Seventy five men have put their names forward. 233 00:55:07,677 --> 00:55:10,160 For Christ's sake. 234 00:55:10,250 --> 00:55:13,361 The announcement is being made today. 235 00:55:16,178 --> 00:55:20,859 So, what makes this protest different is that you accept to die, Bobby ? 236 00:55:21,288 --> 00:55:22,926 It may well come to that. 237 00:55:23,016 --> 00:55:25,710 You start a hunger strike to protest for for what you believe in. 238 00:55:25,800 --> 00:55:30,187 You don't start already determined to die, or am I missing something here ? 239 00:55:30,277 --> 00:55:34,830 It's in their hands. Our message is clear. They're seeing our determination. 240 00:55:35,319 --> 00:55:38,913 So there'll be a couple of deaths, do you think, maybe five or six, 241 00:55:39,003 --> 00:55:42,949 but you have seventy-five of you. Aye, well, it won't come to that. 242 00:55:43,039 --> 00:55:46,483 All right, maybe the Brits will buckle after twenty or so. 243 00:55:46,573 --> 00:55:50,507 But why should you care ? Because you're already dead, right? 244 00:56:00,010 --> 00:56:03,222 Have you thought about you're going to be putting these boys through ? 245 00:56:03,312 --> 00:56:06,648 I mean, putting aside what's going to happen to these poor men's families. 246 00:56:06,738 --> 00:56:10,352 You're going head to head with the British Government who declaredly despise republicanism... 247 00:56:10,442 --> 00:56:12,960 who are unshakeable. 248 00:56:13,050 --> 00:56:16,647 They can easily live with the deaths of what they call terrorists. 249 00:56:16,737 --> 00:56:19,521 And the stakes are much higher this time. I know that. 250 00:56:19,611 --> 00:56:22,991 And if you're not even willing to negotiate, you're looking for them to capitulate. 251 00:56:23,081 --> 00:56:24,323 Is that it ? Right. 252 00:56:24,412 --> 00:56:29,140 So failure means many dead men, families torn apart, 253 00:56:29,229 --> 00:56:31,727 and the whole Republican movement demoralised. 254 00:56:31,816 --> 00:56:34,727 Aye. Worst case scenario it might well mean all that... 255 00:56:34,817 --> 00:56:36,932 but in short term, under the ashes... Come on ! 256 00:56:37,022 --> 00:56:39,376 guaranteed, there will be a new generation of men and women, 257 00:56:39,466 --> 00:56:42,102 even more resilient. More determined. Look who you're talking to. 258 00:56:42,191 --> 00:56:45,822 There's a war going on. I thought you might understand. You're talking like a foreigner. 259 00:56:45,912 --> 00:56:48,690 You're talking to me like I'm a foreigner. Do you think I don't know Northern Ireland ? 260 00:56:48,780 --> 00:56:50,600 I live here, man. Then support us. 261 00:56:50,690 --> 00:56:55,152 I supported the first hunger strike on the basis it was a protest. 262 00:56:55,242 --> 00:56:58,722 Not some pre-design to die and balk at negotiation 263 00:56:58,812 --> 00:57:02,602 other than complete surrender from Thatcher. That's ridiculous Bobby. It's destructive. 264 00:57:02,692 --> 00:57:04,856 What's happened in here for the last four years ? 265 00:57:04,946 --> 00:57:08,709 Brutality, humiliation. Our basic human rights taken away from us. 266 00:57:08,798 --> 00:57:12,080 All this must come to an end. Through talking. 267 00:57:12,336 --> 00:57:13,789 So what ? 268 00:57:13,878 --> 00:57:15,522 We take their offer and put their uniform on ? 269 00:57:15,612 --> 00:57:18,274 because the last four years are meant nothing ? 270 00:57:18,364 --> 00:57:21,116 We can do that, Don, or we can behave like the army 271 00:57:21,206 --> 00:57:23,907 we proclaim to be and lay down our lives for our comrades. 272 00:57:23,997 --> 00:57:26,517 Is there not even small part in you that's open for a breakthrough... 273 00:57:26,607 --> 00:57:30,051 that could find you negotiating again ? That won't happen. 274 00:57:30,140 --> 00:57:35,956 Forget about that. I want to know whether your intent is just purely to commit suicide here. 275 00:57:39,697 --> 00:57:40,872 You want me to argue... 276 00:57:40,962 --> 00:57:45,217 about the morality of what I'm about to do and whether it's really suicide or not ? 277 00:57:46,548 --> 00:57:49,111 For one in your corner it's suicide. I call it murder. 278 00:57:49,201 --> 00:57:51,751 And that's just another wee difference between us two. 279 00:57:51,841 --> 00:57:54,390 We are both Catholic men. Both Republicans. 280 00:57:54,479 --> 00:57:56,572 But while you were poaching salmon in lovely Kilrea, 281 00:57:56,662 --> 00:57:58,521 we were being burnt out of our houses in Rathcoole. Right. 282 00:57:58,610 --> 00:58:02,789 Similar in many ways, Don, but life and experience are focused up differently. 283 00:58:02,879 --> 00:58:04,396 Do you understand me ? I understand. 284 00:58:04,486 --> 00:58:09,437 I have my belief and in all its simplicity, that is the most powerful thing. 285 00:58:10,833 --> 00:58:13,339 So what's your statement by dying ? 286 00:58:14,662 --> 00:58:17,910 Just highlighting British intransigence, so fucking what ? 287 00:58:17,999 --> 00:58:20,091 The whole world knows what the Brits are like. Good. 288 00:58:20,180 --> 00:58:22,953 Aye. It is good. And it has nothing to do with you. 289 00:58:23,042 --> 00:58:25,230 The Brits have been fucking up for centuries. 290 00:58:25,320 --> 00:58:28,947 I can feel your hatred, Don. Are you looking for martyrdom ? 291 00:58:29,037 --> 00:58:30,950 No. Are you sure? Aye. 292 00:58:31,039 --> 00:58:33,430 Because I've heard you eulogizing Wolf Tone, 293 00:58:33,520 --> 00:58:36,289 McConnely, Mike Sweeney, all them men. 294 00:58:36,379 --> 00:58:39,217 Don't talk thinking you're writing your name in laurels for all them history books. 295 00:58:39,307 --> 00:58:41,790 Oh, and you think that matters to me? Aye, I know it does. 296 00:58:41,880 --> 00:58:44,112 Well, you're wrong. 297 00:58:45,268 --> 00:58:47,667 You say you're soldiers. 298 00:58:47,757 --> 00:58:50,839 It's all about the freedom. 299 00:58:50,929 --> 00:58:53,744 But you've got no appreciation of a life, Bobby. 300 00:58:53,834 --> 00:58:57,175 You no longer know what a life is, young man. 301 00:58:57,265 --> 00:59:00,651 Four years living in these conditions, no one expects you to be normal. 302 00:59:00,741 --> 00:59:03,217 There is nothing normal about you. 303 00:59:04,290 --> 00:59:08,372 Right now the Republican Movement has talked itself into a corner. 304 00:59:08,587 --> 00:59:13,586 You and the IRA are standing right behind it looking into that corner. All that history. 305 00:59:13,676 --> 00:59:17,424 All them dead men and women. You're still saying nothing. 306 00:59:17,514 --> 00:59:20,155 And your answer is to kill everything. You've blinded yourself. 307 00:59:20,245 --> 00:59:23,602 And you're scared to stop it. 308 00:59:24,393 --> 00:59:27,776 Afraid of living, afraid to talk in peace, 309 00:59:27,865 --> 00:59:31,435 So what would Ulster be if it wasn't turning itself to shit ? 310 00:59:32,776 --> 00:59:34,968 And this situation here, 311 00:59:35,057 --> 00:59:38,724 the future of the Republican Movement is in the hands of you men, 312 00:59:38,814 --> 00:59:42,865 who have lost all sense of reality. 313 00:59:43,081 --> 00:59:45,464 You think your head's on right ? 314 00:59:46,993 --> 00:59:49,416 Locked up here 24 hours a day in piss and shit... 315 00:59:49,506 --> 00:59:52,583 and you are making decisions that could see so many men die ? 316 00:59:52,673 --> 00:59:56,659 Build a statue to Bobby Sands. You're joking me ! 317 00:59:56,748 --> 00:59:59,055 Freedom Fighter ? 318 00:59:59,667 --> 01:00:02,369 They are the men and women working out there in the community 319 01:00:02,459 --> 01:00:05,974 and that was you once upon a time, am I right ? 320 01:00:06,063 --> 01:00:08,977 All that work you did in Twin Brook. 321 01:00:09,131 --> 01:00:13,509 That is where we need you, Bobby. And you know I'm right. 322 01:00:14,504 --> 01:00:17,591 But I'm deluded. You want me to answer that ? 323 01:00:17,680 --> 01:00:20,896 They're beating your ball, here. You're playing into their hands. The strategy's in place. 324 01:00:20,897 --> 01:00:24,374 Then stop it. Just say you'll stop. You don't understand a thing. 325 01:00:24,375 --> 01:00:27,163 You're in no shape to make this call. 326 01:00:27,164 --> 01:00:32,453 It's done. It won't be stopped. Then fuck it ! Life must mean nothing to you. 327 01:00:34,083 --> 01:00:36,930 God's gonna punish me. 328 01:00:42,371 --> 01:00:48,537 Well, if not just for the suicide, then he'd have to punish you for your stupidity. 329 01:00:49,769 --> 01:00:51,633 Aye. 330 01:00:51,722 --> 01:00:54,243 And you for your arrogance. 331 01:00:54,333 --> 01:00:57,869 Because my life is a real life, not some theological exercise, 332 01:00:57,958 --> 01:01:01,348 some religious trick that's got to fuck all to do with living. 333 01:01:01,889 --> 01:01:03,258 Jesus Christ had a backbone, 334 01:01:03,348 --> 01:01:06,013 but see them disciples, every disciple since ? 335 01:01:06,102 --> 01:01:09,874 You're just jumping in and out of the rhetoric and dead-end semantics. 336 01:01:09,963 --> 01:01:11,272 You need the revolutionaries. 337 01:01:11,361 --> 01:01:13,754 You need the cultural political soldier to give life a pulse... 338 01:01:13,844 --> 01:01:16,313 to give life a direction. This is stupid talk. You're deluded. 339 01:01:16,403 --> 01:01:18,314 Aye. So you say. 340 01:01:18,403 --> 01:01:20,996 And what's your wee son going to say ? Fuck off. 341 01:01:21,086 --> 01:01:23,240 Doesn't that interest you ? 342 01:01:23,405 --> 01:01:25,810 You're going to attack me with sentiment ? 343 01:01:26,148 --> 01:01:28,003 Typical priest. What's your heart saying, Bobby? 344 01:01:28,093 --> 01:01:32,413 I thought you had me all figured out, Don. What is it saying ? Tell me. 345 01:01:35,861 --> 01:01:39,619 My life means everything to me. Freedom means everything. 346 01:01:40,329 --> 01:01:44,244 I know that you don't mean to mock me, Don. So I just let all that pass. 347 01:01:44,977 --> 01:01:47,712 This is one of those times when we've come to a pause. 348 01:01:47,802 --> 01:01:50,600 It's a time to keep your beliefs pure. 349 01:01:50,690 --> 01:01:54,630 I believe that a united Ireland is right and just. 350 01:01:55,066 --> 01:01:58,638 Maybe it's impossible for a man like you to understand. 351 01:01:59,153 --> 01:02:00,954 But having respect for my life, 352 01:02:01,044 --> 01:02:04,847 a desire for freedom, an unyielding love for that belief, 353 01:02:04,936 --> 01:02:08,387 means I can see past any doubts I may have. 354 01:02:09,385 --> 01:02:12,616 Putting my life on the line is not just the only thing I can do, Don. 355 01:02:12,706 --> 01:02:14,908 It's the right thing. 356 01:02:19,926 --> 01:02:22,690 This is why you called me here. 357 01:02:23,448 --> 01:02:27,057 Needed a sounding board ? Not 100% sure of yourself. 358 01:02:27,146 --> 01:02:30,928 Endebting yourself, maybe ? Aye. 359 01:02:31,226 --> 01:02:35,304 Well, I'm only human. And I've made it clear for you, then. 360 01:02:36,914 --> 01:02:41,331 Man of the guidance, Don. Business of the soul. 361 01:02:52,471 --> 01:02:56,019 You been to Gweedore, in Donegal ? 362 01:02:56,295 --> 01:02:58,424 Aye. 363 01:03:05,672 --> 01:03:08,257 I went there when I was 12. 364 01:03:09,619 --> 01:03:12,343 Big cross-country race for the boys. 365 01:03:12,432 --> 01:03:16,904 And we were all in the back of a minibus headed towards Derry one morning. 366 01:03:17,510 --> 01:03:20,017 I mean, this is big time. 367 01:03:20,240 --> 01:03:25,433 I mean, this is like international athletics for us because we were racing against boys in the South 368 01:03:25,523 --> 01:03:28,730 and we had this thing to do Belfast pride. 369 01:03:29,931 --> 01:03:34,366 A few boys were Protestants and the rest of us were Catholics. 370 01:03:34,456 --> 01:03:36,656 It was a cross-community event 371 01:03:36,745 --> 01:03:40,094 I suppose the good people in the south think this is great stuff. 372 01:03:40,184 --> 01:03:44,792 Let's get this wee team over from Belfast and all that patronizing shit. 373 01:03:47,235 --> 01:03:49,385 Anyway, 374 01:03:49,687 --> 01:03:51,984 we went through the border. 375 01:03:53,331 --> 01:03:56,535 The boys singing pop tunes and all... 376 01:03:56,683 --> 01:04:00,155 But I'm just in the back of the bus looking out the window, 377 01:04:01,454 --> 01:04:06,769 we're going through the mountains. You know, where Mount Errigal is in them ? 378 01:04:07,617 --> 01:04:10,556 It's a beautiful sight, Don. 379 01:04:11,195 --> 01:04:15,077 Donegal is the most place in Ireland, I reckon. 380 01:04:15,951 --> 01:04:18,248 Aye. 381 01:04:23,966 --> 01:04:26,389 Anyway, 382 01:04:27,866 --> 01:04:35,172 when we arrived at Gweedore... what a place. There were about 200 boys there. 383 01:04:35,261 --> 01:04:38,143 getting into their gear and limnering up. 384 01:04:39,036 --> 01:04:41,520 The whole event is run by Christian Brothers and they're 385 01:04:41,610 --> 01:04:46,334 clipping young fellows around in the back of the ears, basically trying to obtain some order. 386 01:04:47,157 --> 01:04:50,947 Our team goes off for a wee jog, to stretch out the legs. 387 01:04:52,854 --> 01:04:56,769 And we're surrounded by fields of barley. 388 01:04:56,995 --> 01:05:00,030 And I dip down into a wee valley where there's a stream 389 01:05:00,031 --> 01:05:02,145 and woods running through it. 390 01:05:05,115 --> 01:05:08,035 The woods and the stream are out of bounds so, naturally, 391 01:05:08,124 --> 01:05:10,963 us Belfast boys had to go check it, right ? 392 01:05:11,053 --> 01:05:14,596 The woods and the stream seemed like the Amazon to us. 393 01:05:16,323 --> 01:05:20,279 As we come across, these young fellows from Cork... 394 01:05:20,369 --> 01:05:22,270 there's some banter about our accents... 395 01:05:22,359 --> 01:05:26,127 They could barely talk we couldn't understand what they were saying. 396 01:05:26,823 --> 01:05:29,670 You get the idea that they are lording it over us... 397 01:05:29,760 --> 01:05:33,165 Looking down on us, I'm sensing it anyway. 398 01:05:34,013 --> 01:05:35,992 We run along... 399 01:05:36,081 --> 01:05:41,207 and we come up with this idea to go down to the stream and check it out for fish... 400 01:05:41,678 --> 01:05:46,968 So we went to the river, Don... stream, and there's half a foot of water there... 401 01:05:47,173 --> 01:05:49,701 and a silver fish, but nothing substantial. 402 01:05:49,791 --> 01:05:52,964 until one of our boys calls us further down. 403 01:05:54,227 --> 01:05:57,587 Lying in the water is a wee foal... 404 01:05:57,676 --> 01:06:02,454 four or five days old. he was all skin and bone, a gray color. 405 01:06:02,543 --> 01:06:07,908 And it's got flakes of blood in his coat because he's cut himself up really badly in the sharp rocks... 406 01:06:10,624 --> 01:06:14,655 We were standing over him and you could see his back legs snapped... 407 01:06:14,744 --> 01:06:18,284 He's breathing, he's alive, but just about. 408 01:06:20,177 --> 01:06:25,774 So this big conversation gets started up between the boys who suddenly reckon themselves the leaders... 409 01:06:25,864 --> 01:06:28,134 and deliberating as what we should do. 410 01:06:28,224 --> 01:06:30,103 Someone says drop a rock on his head, 411 01:06:30,193 --> 01:06:34,157 but I'm looking in their faces and I can see they are either scared stiff or clueless. 412 01:06:34,247 --> 01:06:36,478 It's all bravado. 413 01:06:36,976 --> 01:06:40,685 And this foal on the ground in real pain. 414 01:06:40,775 --> 01:06:44,550 All this chitchat going on going nowhere. 415 01:06:45,719 --> 01:06:49,228 Next thing, one of the priests sees us, sees the foal, 416 01:06:49,317 --> 01:06:51,058 tells us not to move it and that we were done for... 417 01:06:51,148 --> 01:06:52,774 We were really done for. 418 01:06:52,863 --> 01:06:55,077 Group of boys will always get the blame for hurting a foal. 419 01:06:55,166 --> 01:06:58,145 A group of Belfast boys will get a hammering for sure. 420 01:06:58,235 --> 01:07:00,008 So it's clear to me in an instant. 421 01:07:00,098 --> 01:07:05,198 I get down on my knees on my knees and take the foal's head in my hands and I put him underwater. 422 01:07:05,485 --> 01:07:10,243 He's thrashing around, so I press down harder until he's drowned. 423 01:07:12,433 --> 01:07:14,899 The priests arrived, Don. 424 01:07:15,780 --> 01:07:20,716 Just grabbing me by the hair, dragging me through the woods, promising me a proper punishment. 425 01:07:20,806 --> 01:07:24,316 But I knew I did the right thing by that wee foal. 426 01:07:25,013 --> 01:07:28,487 and I could take the punishment for all our boys. 427 01:07:28,617 --> 01:07:32,962 I had the respect of the other boys now. And I knew that. 428 01:07:39,340 --> 01:07:41,889 I'm clear of the reasons, Don. 429 01:07:42,295 --> 01:07:45,764 And clear of all the repercussions. 430 01:07:45,854 --> 01:07:50,280 But I will act and I will not stand by and do nothing. 431 01:08:28,012 --> 01:08:30,435 You can leave them there if you like. 432 01:08:30,525 --> 01:08:34,032 Don't want me rolling up the letter of St. John, do you ? 433 01:08:39,118 --> 01:08:42,315 Couldn't have that in my conscience, no. 434 01:08:49,639 --> 01:08:52,954 I don't think I'm gonna see you again, Bobby. 435 01:08:54,133 --> 01:08:56,731 There's no need, Don. 436 01:12:32,106 --> 01:12:37,083 "Faced now with the failure of their discredited cause, 437 01:12:37,173 --> 01:12:40,358 the men of violence have chosen in recent months 438 01:12:40,448 --> 01:12:45,547 to play what may well be their last card, 439 01:12:45,637 --> 01:12:48,703 They have turned their violence against themselves 440 01:12:48,793 --> 01:12:53,115 through the prison hunger strike to death 441 01:12:53,204 --> 01:12:59,410 They seek to work on the most basic of human emotions, pity, 442 01:12:59,500 --> 01:13:02,029 as a means of creating tension 443 01:13:02,119 --> 01:13:06,533 and stoking the fires of bitterness and hatred. 444 01:13:37,904 --> 01:13:43,510 And from week one there has been a gradual deterioration of the liver, kidney and pancreatic function. 445 01:13:44,383 --> 01:13:49,835 Also the bone density decreases substantially due to calcium and vitamin deficiencies. 446 01:13:53,202 --> 01:13:55,213 The muscles of the heart is also undernourished 447 01:13:55,303 --> 01:13:59,005 causing impaired function and eventually cardiac failure. 448 01:14:05,019 --> 01:14:09,449 The left ventricle can shrink to 70% of its normal size. 449 01:14:11,782 --> 01:14:16,543 He will have low blood sugar, low energy and muscular wasting. 450 01:14:18,949 --> 01:14:21,740 He will be experiencing gastro- intestinal ulcers with the thinning 451 01:14:21,829 --> 01:14:25,973 of the intestinal wall and sub-mucosal hemorraging. 452 01:14:27,911 --> 01:14:31,570 There will have been degenerative changes to the mucous membranes of the intestines... 453 01:14:31,659 --> 01:14:35,077 and indeed all the organs in the body. 454 01:21:46,722 --> 01:21:49,727 UDA (Ulster Defense Alliance ) 455 01:25:06,621 --> 01:25:10,201 Name. - Roselyn Sands. 456 01:25:13,223 --> 01:25:16,913 Name. - John Sands. 457 01:27:30,374 --> 01:27:34,907 "People always ask us. People always ask us. 458 01:27:34,997 --> 01:27:38,288 Bobby, Bobby ! Who we are 459 01:27:38,378 --> 01:27:41,942 And where we come from And where we come from 460 01:27:42,031 --> 01:27:45,660 And we tell them And we tell them 461 01:27:45,750 --> 01:27:49,372 We're from Belfast We're from Belfast 462 01:27:49,461 --> 01:27:53,234 The mighty, mighty Belfast The mighty, mighty Belfast 463 01:27:53,323 --> 01:27:57,246 And if they can't hear us And if they can't hear us 464 01:27:57,335 --> 01:28:01,776 we shout a little louder We shout a little louder 465 01:31:12,252 --> 01:31:19,297 Bobby Sands died after 66 days on hunger strike. 466 01:31:20,650 --> 01:31:28,493 At that time he was elected to the British Parliament M.P. for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. 467 01:31:29,512 --> 01:31:37,006 After 7 months the strike was called off. A further 9 men had died. 468 01:31:38,303 --> 01:31:45,392 16 wardens were killed by paramilitaries during the "blanket" and a "no-wash' protests. 469 01:31:46,624 --> 01:31:50,510 In the following days and months, the British Government effectively granted all the prisoners' demands 470 01:31:50,600 --> 01:31:56,540 but without any formal recognition of political status.