1 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:20,000 HUNGER (2008) 2 00:02:43,167 --> 00:02:47,718 'Temperature-wise, fairly cold. Six, seven degrees, which is... 3 00:02:47,847 --> 00:02:51,283 'What is it in Fahrenheit? I don't know. Forty something? 4 00:02:51,407 --> 00:02:56,561 'If anyone has a nice formula then they can write in and tell me, after this. 5 00:02:58,007 --> 00:03:01,007 'How to transform Fahrenheit into centigrade... ' 6 00:04:20,167 --> 00:04:23,523 '... dirty protest and the blanket protest has been going on for years, 7 00:04:23,647 --> 00:04:26,525 'all in support of the same demand: Political status. 8 00:04:26,647 --> 00:04:31,118 'That is to say, different treatment for people who commit crimes, 9 00:04:31,247 --> 00:04:34,284 'hideous crimes, for what they claim to be a political motive. 10 00:04:34,407 --> 00:04:36,363 'And that is what the government will not grant.' 11 00:05:21,727 --> 00:05:25,163 About an hour later there's a painful cry coming from the granny's room. 12 00:05:25,287 --> 00:05:27,084 So the Da walks up and opens the door, 13 00:05:27,207 --> 00:05:29,960 and there's the wee fella having a go at the granny. 14 00:05:30,087 --> 00:05:33,796 And he turns round and goes, "It's not so fucking funny when it's your Ma!" 15 00:08:41,647 --> 00:08:44,719 'There is no such thing as political murder, 16 00:08:44,847 --> 00:08:48,044 'political bombing or political violence. 17 00:08:48,167 --> 00:08:52,399 'There is only criminal murder, criminal bombing and criminal violence. 18 00:08:54,087 --> 00:08:57,363 'We will not compromise on this. 19 00:08:57,487 --> 00:09:00,445 'There will be no political status.' 20 00:09:31,887 --> 00:09:34,321 I will not wear the uniform of a criminal. 21 00:09:35,367 --> 00:09:37,801 I demand to wear me own clothes. 22 00:14:02,047 --> 00:14:03,639 What? 23 00:14:08,047 --> 00:14:10,003 Say what your surname is again. 24 00:14:11,927 --> 00:14:13,724 - Gillen. - Gillen? 25 00:14:13,847 --> 00:14:15,280 Aye. 26 00:14:16,007 --> 00:14:17,645 Fancy Quinn. 27 00:14:19,647 --> 00:14:22,241 Falls Road. Fancy Quinn. Do you know him? 28 00:14:24,927 --> 00:14:26,360 - No. - No? 29 00:14:31,967 --> 00:14:35,676 - How long did you get? - Twelve years. 30 00:14:39,007 --> 00:14:40,679 You? 31 00:14:45,367 --> 00:14:46,720 Six years. Six. 32 00:14:46,847 --> 00:14:49,884 - Six? - Aye. 33 00:14:53,207 --> 00:14:54,720 You lucky bastard. 34 00:20:02,567 --> 00:20:04,364 All right? 35 00:20:04,487 --> 00:20:06,318 - How are you? OK? - Yeah. 36 00:20:06,447 --> 00:20:08,563 How's Ma? 37 00:22:02,567 --> 00:22:07,038 '... engineering union. It's by the political advisor to Merlyn Rees, 38 00:22:07,167 --> 00:22:09,761 'when he was at the Home Office, Roger Darlington. 39 00:22:09,887 --> 00:22:12,117 'He rejects the official line on phone taps, 40 00:22:12,247 --> 00:22:14,522 'that there's only been a modest overall increase, 41 00:22:14,647 --> 00:22:18,162 'and says Parliament has no way of knowing how much tapping goes on, 42 00:22:18,287 --> 00:22:20,721 'because the Prime Minister and other senior ministers 43 00:22:20,847 --> 00:22:24,123 'don't even have to get warrants to get a tap put into effect.' 44 00:25:04,927 --> 00:25:06,280 What? 45 00:25:07,927 --> 00:25:09,963 Get ready. 46 00:26:27,087 --> 00:26:29,043 Fuck! 47 00:29:43,687 --> 00:29:46,997 ... she sends her very, very best to you. 48 00:29:49,887 --> 00:29:51,878 Are you all right, Bobby? 49 00:29:52,007 --> 00:29:53,998 I'm grand, Ma. 50 00:29:55,007 --> 00:29:57,475 Are they giving you treatment for that? 51 00:29:57,607 --> 00:29:59,723 It's being looked after. 52 00:30:02,487 --> 00:30:04,239 And the young fella? 53 00:30:05,367 --> 00:30:07,278 He's a handful, I'll tell you that. 54 00:30:09,167 --> 00:30:11,886 - Are you eating all right? - I'm grand, Ma. 55 00:30:12,007 --> 00:30:15,602 - Are they feeding you all right? - Don't yous be worrying about me. 56 00:30:17,847 --> 00:30:19,565 'Five minutes. 57 00:30:21,007 --> 00:30:22,486 'Five minutes.' 58 00:30:24,967 --> 00:30:26,923 - You eating all right? - Aye. 59 00:30:27,047 --> 00:30:29,925 - Tastes like shit though doesn't it? - You get used to it. 60 00:30:35,447 --> 00:30:37,085 You're looking well. 61 00:30:39,167 --> 00:30:40,998 So are you, son. 62 00:30:41,127 --> 00:30:42,958 So are you. 63 00:30:48,687 --> 00:30:51,121 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. 64 00:30:51,247 --> 00:30:54,080 And his ears are attentive to their cries. 65 00:30:54,207 --> 00:30:56,926 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 66 00:30:58,847 --> 00:31:01,964 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them. 67 00:31:02,087 --> 00:31:05,363 He delivers them from all their troubles. 68 00:31:05,487 --> 00:31:08,240 The Lord is close to the broken-hearted 69 00:31:08,367 --> 00:31:11,359 and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 70 00:31:11,487 --> 00:31:13,921 The righteous man has many troubles. 71 00:31:14,047 --> 00:31:16,607 But the Lord delivers him from them all. 72 00:31:16,727 --> 00:31:18,683 He protects all his bones, 73 00:31:19,007 --> 00:31:21,521 and not one of them will be broken. 74 00:31:24,047 --> 00:31:26,117 Evil will slay the wicked. 75 00:31:26,967 --> 00:31:29,925 The foes of the righteous will be condemned. 76 00:31:30,047 --> 00:31:33,119 The Lord redeems his servants. 77 00:31:33,247 --> 00:31:36,796 No one will be condemned who finds refuge in him. 78 00:31:44,007 --> 00:31:45,440 Let us pray. 79 00:34:53,327 --> 00:34:56,080 Fucking shoes matches the wall. 80 00:35:36,807 --> 00:35:38,638 Fucking dirty bastards! 81 00:35:38,767 --> 00:35:42,123 - Fucking bastards! - Fucking dirty bastards! 82 00:36:02,847 --> 00:36:05,645 I... I... IRA! 83 00:36:05,767 --> 00:36:08,759 I... I... IRA! 84 00:36:08,887 --> 00:36:10,081 Fucking bullshit! 85 00:36:58,127 --> 00:36:59,719 Everything in order? 86 00:36:59,847 --> 00:37:01,644 Yes, sir. In order, sir. 87 00:37:01,767 --> 00:37:03,246 Very good. 88 00:38:48,967 --> 00:38:51,242 Gerry! Gerry! 89 00:38:58,527 --> 00:38:59,960 Gerry! 90 00:39:18,087 --> 00:39:21,204 Get the fuck off me! 91 00:39:25,967 --> 00:39:28,686 Shit. Shit! 92 00:39:28,807 --> 00:39:32,038 Gerry! Gerry! 93 00:40:09,447 --> 00:40:11,961 Get off me, you fucking... 94 00:42:09,487 --> 00:42:12,240 Tea with two sugars, please. 95 00:42:18,007 --> 00:42:19,998 Hi, Mum. 96 00:42:31,687 --> 00:42:34,645 What are you doing sitting in here? 97 00:43:01,487 --> 00:43:02,840 Daisies. 98 00:43:16,167 --> 00:43:19,876 Out! Out! Everybody! 99 00:43:54,367 --> 00:43:56,164 You can sit down anytime you like. 100 00:43:56,287 --> 00:43:59,165 Priest etiquette. Never sit before you're asked. 101 00:43:59,287 --> 00:44:00,845 Sit down, then. 102 00:44:00,967 --> 00:44:02,958 I don't want to come over too eager. 103 00:44:03,087 --> 00:44:05,442 What, best to hover at the door? 104 00:44:05,567 --> 00:44:08,843 You learn that in your first week in the seminary, Bobby. 105 00:44:13,927 --> 00:44:16,919 - Cig? - Come on. 106 00:44:20,127 --> 00:44:22,721 Bit of a break from smoking the Bible, eh? 107 00:44:22,847 --> 00:44:24,803 Oh, aye. 108 00:44:27,687 --> 00:44:30,645 Anyone work out which book is the best smoke? 109 00:44:30,767 --> 00:44:32,723 We only smoke the Lamentations. 110 00:44:32,847 --> 00:44:35,202 A right miserable cigarette. 111 00:44:35,327 --> 00:44:37,318 Nice room. 112 00:44:37,447 --> 00:44:39,358 Very clean. 113 00:44:39,487 --> 00:44:42,320 - Where is it you're from again, Dom? - Born, you mean? 114 00:44:42,447 --> 00:44:45,200 - Bally-go-backwards. - Oh, the city dog. 115 00:44:45,327 --> 00:44:46,760 Ballyroberts. 116 00:44:46,887 --> 00:44:50,038 A wee place south of Ballymoney. Kilrea. 117 00:44:51,247 --> 00:44:53,556 I remember a homily you did at Mass one time. 118 00:44:53,687 --> 00:44:55,325 Oh, will you listen to it? 119 00:44:55,447 --> 00:44:58,917 - The men hold you in very high esteem. - I can feel a dig coming on. 120 00:44:59,047 --> 00:45:01,038 - You're very quick. - Right. 121 00:45:01,167 --> 00:45:03,522 Nah, you're respected, you know that. 122 00:45:03,647 --> 00:45:06,400 But I like those stories you tell about the countryside. 123 00:45:06,527 --> 00:45:09,997 A childhood of poaching, robbing apples, stampeding cattle. 124 00:45:10,127 --> 00:45:13,836 - A fine education for a priest. - A priest working West Belfast, it is. 125 00:45:13,967 --> 00:45:16,117 Stampeding comes in handy down the Falls Road. 126 00:45:16,247 --> 00:45:18,442 - RUC hate me. - You miss it, though? 127 00:45:18,567 --> 00:45:20,478 - What? - Countryside. 128 00:45:20,607 --> 00:45:23,917 Ah, sure I get home to see my wee brother every month or so, but... 129 00:45:24,047 --> 00:45:27,642 Aye, I miss the usual. Clean air. Space. All that. 130 00:45:27,767 --> 00:45:31,396 - Feels closer to who you are. - Aye, well, it is. No question. 131 00:45:33,167 --> 00:45:35,920 Like a fish out of water, working in a big city like Belfast, 132 00:45:36,047 --> 00:45:37,878 but it's a job, isn't it? 133 00:45:39,207 --> 00:45:41,357 You stop looking at your surroundings quick enough 134 00:45:41,487 --> 00:45:44,843 when you figure your business is the business of the soul and all. 135 00:45:44,967 --> 00:45:47,401 - Business of the soul? - Ah, you know what I mean. 136 00:45:47,527 --> 00:45:51,679 - Learn that in the seminary, too? - Aye. You can use that free of charge. 137 00:45:51,807 --> 00:45:53,718 Go on. 138 00:45:53,847 --> 00:45:57,965 Well, I suppose what I'm saying is... you get on. 139 00:45:58,087 --> 00:45:59,839 Kilrea can wait till I'm an old man. 140 00:45:59,967 --> 00:46:02,435 Too many scoundrels to be saved in Belfast, anyway. 141 00:46:02,567 --> 00:46:05,161 - Busy work. Aye. - God will reward you in Heaven. 142 00:46:05,287 --> 00:46:08,916 And I'll be thankful, once there's wine involved. 143 00:46:11,127 --> 00:46:13,516 So what does your wee brother do back home? 144 00:46:15,767 --> 00:46:17,644 He's a parish priest. 145 00:46:19,887 --> 00:46:22,447 He's a sneaky wee bastard. You know the sort, Bobby. 146 00:46:22,567 --> 00:46:25,081 - Still goes poaching? - Poaching jobs. 147 00:46:25,207 --> 00:46:27,721 And he's younger than me by eight years all right. 148 00:46:27,847 --> 00:46:29,997 Go on. 149 00:46:30,127 --> 00:46:33,961 Well, as a cleric I work in a parish beside Kilrea. 150 00:46:34,087 --> 00:46:36,317 A wee hole of a place. I'm working me arse off. 151 00:46:36,447 --> 00:46:39,245 House calls to the elderly, mobile confessions. 152 00:46:39,367 --> 00:46:41,278 - The glamour stuff. - Oh, aye. 153 00:46:41,407 --> 00:46:45,161 - So... a position comes up at Kilrea. - Right. 154 00:46:45,287 --> 00:46:48,279 And I'm passed over for some reason or other. No reason probably. 155 00:46:48,407 --> 00:46:50,796 - Too much cake off the old ladies? - Probably. 156 00:46:50,927 --> 00:46:52,406 So? 157 00:46:52,527 --> 00:46:56,361 So about five years later, the position again comes up back home in Kilrea. 158 00:46:56,487 --> 00:47:00,924 And my brother Michael waltzes right into it. 159 00:47:01,047 --> 00:47:02,400 Fuck. 160 00:47:03,647 --> 00:47:05,956 He's made parish priest at 28. 161 00:47:06,087 --> 00:47:09,079 More spiritual probably. Less lippy than you. 162 00:47:09,207 --> 00:47:12,438 He worked the Bishop. He's a golfer. 163 00:47:12,567 --> 00:47:14,478 He's a pushy little twerp is what he is. 164 00:47:14,607 --> 00:47:16,996 - At least you're not bitter. - No, I couldn't be that. 165 00:47:17,127 --> 00:47:19,516 Parish priest at 28? Fantastic. 166 00:47:19,647 --> 00:47:22,639 Hmm. He has two cars. 167 00:47:22,767 --> 00:47:24,803 And the house he has is massive. 168 00:47:24,927 --> 00:47:26,679 He has a maid, a cook. 169 00:47:26,807 --> 00:47:28,638 I'm stuck in a two-up-two-down, 170 00:47:28,767 --> 00:47:31,918 with a fat Kerry man who drones on and on about Gaelic football. 171 00:47:32,047 --> 00:47:35,562 - Can we stop talking about this? - Jesus, you're the one who's talking. 172 00:47:38,087 --> 00:47:40,078 - How's your smoke going? - Grand. 173 00:47:40,207 --> 00:47:41,845 Hmm. Filthy habit. Disgusting. 174 00:47:41,967 --> 00:47:44,083 Oh, aye, awful. Lovely, though. 175 00:47:44,207 --> 00:47:46,084 Aye. Praise the Lord. 176 00:47:49,767 --> 00:47:53,442 - 28... My God! - Oh, stop it. 177 00:47:55,367 --> 00:47:57,358 So what happened to your eye, Bobby? 178 00:47:57,487 --> 00:47:58,886 What? 179 00:47:59,007 --> 00:48:01,567 - Get a dig? Your eye? - Difference of opinion. 180 00:48:01,687 --> 00:48:05,316 - Hmm. How's the other fella? - A lot worse, believe me. 181 00:48:06,807 --> 00:48:08,525 So. What did you call me here for? 182 00:48:08,647 --> 00:48:12,526 - Why, is that the idle banter over? - Priest etiquette. Small talk first. 183 00:48:12,647 --> 00:48:14,717 I'm learning a lot about the priesthood. 184 00:48:14,847 --> 00:48:17,077 - You'd make a fine priest. - Oh, aye. 185 00:48:17,207 --> 00:48:19,198 Good talker. Man of principle. Leader of men. 186 00:48:19,327 --> 00:48:22,763 - Political terrorist. - The church loves a reformed crook. 187 00:48:22,887 --> 00:48:24,479 Aye. 188 00:48:25,887 --> 00:48:29,004 I always felt that thief next to Jesus got off lightly. 189 00:48:29,127 --> 00:48:31,163 Ah, but he recognised his sins. 190 00:48:31,287 --> 00:48:33,243 - Did he, though? - Aye. Said as much. 191 00:48:33,367 --> 00:48:35,927 When you're hung from a cross, you'll say anything. 192 00:48:36,047 --> 00:48:39,084 Jesus offers him a seat next to daddy in a place called paradise. 193 00:48:39,207 --> 00:48:42,040 You're always gonna put your hand up for piece of that. 194 00:48:42,167 --> 00:48:44,283 Even when it's nailed to your cross. 195 00:48:44,407 --> 00:48:46,637 Jesus Christ. That's sacrilegious. 196 00:48:46,767 --> 00:48:49,759 Sacrilegious? No, no, no, he was a dirty thief. 197 00:48:52,167 --> 00:48:55,125 So. What do you want to tell me? 198 00:48:55,247 --> 00:48:57,283 Where are you at? 199 00:48:57,407 --> 00:49:00,046 Been driven mad by that governor yet? 200 00:49:00,167 --> 00:49:02,362 See this negotiating lark? 201 00:49:02,487 --> 00:49:05,126 It's been a sideshow. I'll tell you that for nothing. 202 00:49:05,247 --> 00:49:07,203 But you understand why you need to do it? 203 00:49:07,327 --> 00:49:09,397 Because we're no longer good propaganda. 204 00:49:09,527 --> 00:49:11,643 According to who? The leadership? 205 00:49:13,127 --> 00:49:14,924 The time has come. 206 00:49:15,047 --> 00:49:17,197 A decision had to be made. 207 00:49:18,407 --> 00:49:20,637 You think that's what the leadership think? 208 00:49:20,767 --> 00:49:23,406 - Maybe. I don't know. - Bit paranoid there, Bobby. 209 00:49:26,687 --> 00:49:30,396 Ten thousand people marched for the seven hunger strikers last October. 210 00:49:30,527 --> 00:49:32,836 - International pressure on the Brits. - Busy time. 211 00:49:32,967 --> 00:49:35,401 Even the Pope's having a say. Getting involved. 212 00:49:35,527 --> 00:49:38,644 The whole world, trying to get Thatcher to give us our demands. 213 00:49:38,767 --> 00:49:41,406 - But it all came to nothing. - Right. 214 00:49:41,527 --> 00:49:44,724 Hunger strike failed. We're on the front line. 215 00:49:44,847 --> 00:49:48,283 We created the protest. It's our responsibility. 216 00:49:48,407 --> 00:49:50,637 Leadership have been very clear to me, Dom. 217 00:49:50,767 --> 00:49:52,917 Four and a half years of the no-wash protest, 218 00:49:53,047 --> 00:49:55,277 as much as it's highlighted Republicanism, 219 00:49:55,407 --> 00:49:58,205 it's also distracted from the development of the organisation. 220 00:49:58,327 --> 00:50:00,158 Because your needs are specific. 221 00:50:00,287 --> 00:50:01,640 Of course they are. 222 00:50:01,767 --> 00:50:04,486 Some woman bringing up three children in West Belfast 223 00:50:04,607 --> 00:50:08,998 shouldn't care about civilian clothing or whatever they call these clown outfits. 224 00:50:09,127 --> 00:50:13,484 Honest to God. We were promised our own clothes. It's childish skulduggery. 225 00:50:13,607 --> 00:50:16,075 So the leadership have had enough of you? 226 00:50:17,687 --> 00:50:19,723 In the ideal world, 227 00:50:19,847 --> 00:50:22,919 we'd be fighting our battles independently, but we're tied. 228 00:50:23,047 --> 00:50:26,119 Nothing's changed in here. The leadership are stuck with us 229 00:50:26,247 --> 00:50:30,320 until there's some realistic chance of political status, that's the hard truth. 230 00:50:30,447 --> 00:50:33,564 See, to get me to negotiate with these lying, reneging monkeys 231 00:50:33,687 --> 00:50:36,201 when there's never nothing on the table, it's pure crap. 232 00:50:36,327 --> 00:50:38,283 I'm not gonna be marched into this Governor's office 233 00:50:38,407 --> 00:50:42,002 and get caught up in some pointless dialogue with that pompous bastard. 234 00:50:42,127 --> 00:50:45,005 - Well, he's a big fan of yours. - Thick as two short planks. 235 00:50:45,127 --> 00:50:48,005 Can you believe they made him Governor? Bloody insult to humanity! 236 00:50:48,127 --> 00:50:50,687 Mother of Jesus, where do you get your energy from? 237 00:50:51,767 --> 00:50:53,758 I was a cross-country runner as a boy. 238 00:50:54,447 --> 00:50:57,166 I could have guessed it. Big engine on you. 239 00:50:57,847 --> 00:51:02,637 Cross-country running. Explains a lot about you, Bobby. 240 00:51:02,767 --> 00:51:06,157 Why, I loved it, so I did. That's the whole country thing for me. 241 00:51:06,287 --> 00:51:10,041 Jesus, they to hold me back at the finishing line or I'd keep on running. 242 00:51:10,167 --> 00:51:12,886 Little scraps. We were mongrels from out of the city. 243 00:51:13,007 --> 00:51:15,441 Frightened of cattle and all. It was a funny time. 244 00:51:15,567 --> 00:51:18,081 - Frightened of cattle? - Aye, terrified of them. 245 00:51:18,207 --> 00:51:22,280 Think you could get milk and burgers from them monsters? Jesus Christ! 246 00:51:24,887 --> 00:51:28,516 The next time round I'll be born in the countryside. Guaranteed. 247 00:51:28,647 --> 00:51:30,638 Wildlife. Birds. 248 00:51:30,767 --> 00:51:32,917 I love all that. Paradise. 249 00:51:33,047 --> 00:51:36,517 Aye, and you could learn to relax, too. 250 00:51:36,647 --> 00:51:39,366 Aye. Maybe. You never know. 251 00:51:39,487 --> 00:51:41,523 Never tried it before. 252 00:51:42,687 --> 00:51:45,406 I'm starting a hunger strike on the first of March. 253 00:51:47,327 --> 00:51:50,205 That's why you're here. That's what I'm telling you. 254 00:51:50,327 --> 00:51:52,522 Aye. I heard that. 255 00:51:56,047 --> 00:51:59,005 - Does your family know? - I got word out to them, aye. 256 00:51:59,127 --> 00:52:02,483 - Have you spoken with them? - Got a visit in two weeks. Talk then. 257 00:52:02,607 --> 00:52:07,203 - How do you think they'll take it? - What do you think, Dom? 258 00:52:07,327 --> 00:52:09,283 And your wee boy? 259 00:52:27,007 --> 00:52:30,522 So, what makes it different from the last time? 260 00:52:32,567 --> 00:52:35,798 The last hunger strike was flawed. It became emotional. 261 00:52:35,927 --> 00:52:38,077 Seven men started at the same time. 262 00:52:38,207 --> 00:52:40,516 They got weak and couldn't let the weakest die, 263 00:52:40,647 --> 00:52:44,196 which left us susceptible to be conned by the Brits, and that's what we were. 264 00:52:44,327 --> 00:52:45,680 Conned. 265 00:52:45,807 --> 00:52:49,038 This time out, the men will start consecutively, two weeks apart. 266 00:52:49,167 --> 00:52:50,998 Somebody dies, they'll be replaced. 267 00:52:51,127 --> 00:52:54,085 There's no shortage of us. Seventy-five men have signed up. 268 00:52:54,207 --> 00:52:56,357 Oh, for Christ's sake... 269 00:52:56,487 --> 00:52:58,876 The announcement's being made today. 270 00:53:01,967 --> 00:53:06,358 So what makes this protest different is that you're set to die, Bobby? 271 00:53:06,487 --> 00:53:08,364 It may well come to that. 272 00:53:08,487 --> 00:53:11,445 You start a hunger strike to protest for what you believe in. 273 00:53:11,567 --> 00:53:15,560 You don't start already determined to die, or am I missing something here? 274 00:53:15,687 --> 00:53:20,442 It's in their hands. Our message is clear. They're seeing our determination. 275 00:53:20,567 --> 00:53:23,684 So it'll take a couple of deaths, do you think? Maybe five or six? 276 00:53:23,807 --> 00:53:25,763 But sure, there's seventy-five of you. 277 00:53:25,887 --> 00:53:27,878 Aye well, it won't come to that. 278 00:53:28,007 --> 00:53:31,397 All right, maybe the Brits will buckle after twenty or so. 279 00:53:31,527 --> 00:53:34,678 But why should you care, cos you're already dead, right? 280 00:53:43,927 --> 00:53:47,283 Have you thought about what you'll put these boys through? 281 00:53:47,407 --> 00:53:50,638 Putting aside what's going to happen to these poor men's families. 282 00:53:50,767 --> 00:53:54,362 You're up against a British government who clearly despises Republicanism, 283 00:53:54,487 --> 00:53:56,318 who are unshakable. 284 00:53:56,447 --> 00:53:59,757 Who can easily live with the deaths of what they call terrorists. 285 00:53:59,887 --> 00:54:01,764 The stakes are much higher this time. 286 00:54:01,887 --> 00:54:03,240 I know that. 287 00:54:03,367 --> 00:54:06,996 And if you're not willing to negotiate, you want them to capitulate? 288 00:54:07,127 --> 00:54:10,358 - Right. - So failure means many dead men. 289 00:54:10,487 --> 00:54:12,443 Families torn apart. 290 00:54:12,567 --> 00:54:14,717 And the whole Republican Movement demoralised. 291 00:54:14,847 --> 00:54:19,637 Worse case scenario, it might well mean all that. But short term, out of the ashes. 292 00:54:19,767 --> 00:54:23,646 Guaranteed there'll be a new generation, even more resilient, determined... 293 00:54:23,767 --> 00:54:25,758 - Look who you're talking to. - There's a war going on. 294 00:54:25,887 --> 00:54:28,276 I thought you might understand. You're talking like a foreigner. 295 00:54:28,407 --> 00:54:30,841 You're talking to me like one. You think I don't know Northern Ireland? 296 00:54:30,967 --> 00:54:32,798 - I live here, man. - Then support us. 297 00:54:32,927 --> 00:54:37,045 I supported the first hunger strike on the basis it was a protest. 298 00:54:37,167 --> 00:54:40,364 Not some predesign to die and balk at negotiation, 299 00:54:40,487 --> 00:54:44,366 other than surrender from Thatcher. That's ridiculous, Bobby, it's destructive. 300 00:54:44,487 --> 00:54:48,366 What's happening here for the last four years? The brutality, humiliation. 301 00:54:48,487 --> 00:54:51,445 Our basic human rights taken away. All of this has to stop. 302 00:54:51,567 --> 00:54:53,205 Through talking. 303 00:54:53,327 --> 00:54:56,842 So what? We take their offer, put their uniform on? 304 00:54:56,967 --> 00:54:59,242 Cos the last four years have meant nothing? 305 00:54:59,367 --> 00:55:02,723 We could do that, Dom, or we could behave like the army we proclaim to be 306 00:55:02,847 --> 00:55:04,803 and lay down our lives for our comrades. 307 00:55:04,927 --> 00:55:07,361 Is there not even a small part of you hoping for a breakthrough? 308 00:55:07,487 --> 00:55:09,398 That could find you negotiating again? 309 00:55:09,527 --> 00:55:11,916 - That won't happen. - Right, forget about that. 310 00:55:12,047 --> 00:55:16,006 I want to know whether your intent is just purely to commit suicide here. 311 00:55:19,847 --> 00:55:22,759 You want me to argue about the morality of what I'm about to do 312 00:55:22,887 --> 00:55:26,277 and whether it's really suicide or not? 313 00:55:26,407 --> 00:55:29,160 For one, you're calling it suicide. I call it murder. 314 00:55:29,287 --> 00:55:31,482 And that's just another wee difference between us. 315 00:55:31,607 --> 00:55:33,757 We're both Catholic men. Republicans. 316 00:55:33,887 --> 00:55:36,082 But while you were poaching salmon in lovely Kilrea, 317 00:55:36,207 --> 00:55:38,038 we were being burnt out of our house in Rathcoole. 318 00:55:38,167 --> 00:55:41,955 Similar in many ways, but experiences focused our beliefs differently. 319 00:55:42,087 --> 00:55:43,725 - Understand me? - I understand. 320 00:55:43,847 --> 00:55:47,601 I have my belief. And in all its simplicity that is a most powerful thing. 321 00:55:49,487 --> 00:55:51,921 So, what's your statement by dying? 322 00:55:53,087 --> 00:55:56,159 Just highlighting British intransigence, so fucking what? 323 00:55:56,287 --> 00:55:58,084 Everyone knows what the Brits are like. 324 00:55:58,207 --> 00:56:01,085 - Good. - It is good and nothing to do with you. 325 00:56:01,207 --> 00:56:03,675 The Brits have been fucking up everything for centuries. 326 00:56:03,807 --> 00:56:05,399 I can feel your hatred, Dom. 327 00:56:05,527 --> 00:56:07,643 - Are you looking for martyrdom? - No. 328 00:56:07,767 --> 00:56:09,200 - Are you sure? - Aye. 329 00:56:09,327 --> 00:56:13,286 Cos I've heard you eulogising Wolfe Tone, Connolly, MacSwiney... 330 00:56:13,407 --> 00:56:16,922 I can't help think you're writing your name for all them history books. 331 00:56:17,047 --> 00:56:19,436 - Cos you think that matters to me? - I know it does. 332 00:56:19,567 --> 00:56:21,637 Well, you're wrong. 333 00:56:22,847 --> 00:56:27,682 You say you're soldiers, it's all about the freedom. 334 00:56:27,807 --> 00:56:30,719 But you've got no appreciation of a life, Bobby. 335 00:56:30,847 --> 00:56:33,805 You no longer know what a life is, you men. 336 00:56:33,927 --> 00:56:37,397 Four years living in these conditions, no one expects you to be normal. 337 00:56:37,527 --> 00:56:39,757 There's nothing normal about you. 338 00:56:41,127 --> 00:56:44,676 Right now, the Republican Movement has talked itself into a corner. 339 00:56:44,807 --> 00:56:48,641 You IRA are standing right behind it looking into that corner. 340 00:56:48,767 --> 00:56:53,158 All that history, all them dead men and women. You're still seeing nothing. 341 00:56:53,287 --> 00:56:56,484 When your answer's to kill everything, you've blinded yourselves 342 00:56:56,607 --> 00:56:59,405 and you're scared to stop it. 343 00:57:00,327 --> 00:57:03,364 Afraid of living. Afraid of talk and peace. 344 00:57:03,487 --> 00:57:07,321 Sure, what would Ulster be if it wasn't tearing itself to shit? 345 00:57:08,447 --> 00:57:10,483 And this situation here. 346 00:57:10,607 --> 00:57:14,043 That the future of the Republican Movement is in the hands of you men 347 00:57:14,167 --> 00:57:17,079 who've lost all... all sense of reality. 348 00:57:18,327 --> 00:57:21,399 You think your head's on right? 349 00:57:21,527 --> 00:57:24,325 Locked up in here twenty-four hours a day in piss and shit, 350 00:57:24,447 --> 00:57:27,405 and you are making decisions that could see so many men die. 351 00:57:27,527 --> 00:57:29,961 Build a statue to Bobby Sands! 352 00:57:30,087 --> 00:57:32,647 You're joking me. Freedom Fighter? 353 00:57:33,847 --> 00:57:37,078 They're the men and women working out there in the community. 354 00:57:37,207 --> 00:57:40,119 And that was you, once upon a time, am I right? 355 00:57:40,247 --> 00:57:42,920 All that work you did in Twinbrook. 356 00:57:43,047 --> 00:57:46,926 That's where we need you, Bobby. And you know I'm right. 357 00:57:48,327 --> 00:57:51,205 That I'm deluded... you want me to answer that? 358 00:57:51,327 --> 00:57:53,283 They're beating you. You're playing into their hands. 359 00:57:53,407 --> 00:57:56,558 - The strategy's in place. - Then stop it. Just say stop. 360 00:57:56,687 --> 00:58:00,316 - You don't understand a thing. - You're in no shape to make this call. 361 00:58:00,447 --> 00:58:02,961 It's done. It won't be stopped. 362 00:58:03,087 --> 00:58:06,045 Then fuck it, life must mean nothing to you. 363 00:58:07,367 --> 00:58:09,835 God's going to punish me? 364 00:58:15,007 --> 00:58:20,240 Well, if not just for the suicide, then he'd have to punish you for stupidity. 365 00:58:22,287 --> 00:58:26,041 Aye. And you for your arrogance. 366 00:58:26,167 --> 00:58:29,796 Cos my life is a real life, not some theological exercise, 367 00:58:29,927 --> 00:58:33,556 some religious trick that's got fuck all to do with living. 368 00:58:33,687 --> 00:58:37,646 Jesus Christ had a backbone, but see them disciples, every disciple since, 369 00:58:37,767 --> 00:58:41,396 you're just jumping in and out of the rhetoric and dead-end semantics. 370 00:58:41,527 --> 00:58:46,043 You need the revolutionary, the political soldier, to give life a pulse, direction... 371 00:58:46,167 --> 00:58:49,204 - That's stupid talk. You're deluded. - Aye, so you say. 372 00:58:49,327 --> 00:58:52,160 - And what's your wee son going to say? - Fuck off. 373 00:58:52,287 --> 00:58:54,039 Doesn't that interest you? 374 00:58:54,167 --> 00:58:57,637 You're going to attack me with sentiment? Typical priest. 375 00:58:57,767 --> 00:59:00,235 - What's your heart saying? - I thought you'd me all figured out. 376 00:59:00,367 --> 00:59:02,642 What's it saying? Tell me. 377 00:59:06,527 --> 00:59:10,281 My life means everything to me. Freedom means everything. 378 00:59:10,407 --> 00:59:13,797 I know you don't mean to mock me, Dom, so I'll just let all that pass. 379 00:59:15,167 --> 00:59:17,886 This is one of these times when we've come to a pause. 380 00:59:18,007 --> 00:59:20,282 It's a time to keep your beliefs pure. 381 00:59:20,407 --> 00:59:23,797 I believe that a united Ireland is right and just. 382 00:59:25,047 --> 00:59:28,244 Maybe it's impossible for a man like you to understand, 383 00:59:28,367 --> 00:59:31,643 but having a respect for my life, a desire for freedom, 384 00:59:31,767 --> 00:59:34,327 an unyielding love for that belief, 385 00:59:34,447 --> 00:59:37,280 means I can see past any doubts I may have. 386 00:59:38,607 --> 00:59:41,883 Putting my life on the line is not just the only thing I can do, Dom. 387 00:59:42,007 --> 00:59:44,316 It's the right thing. 388 00:59:48,487 --> 00:59:50,603 And this is why you've called me here? 389 00:59:51,847 --> 00:59:55,442 Needed a sounding board? Not a hundred per cent sure of yourself? 390 00:59:55,567 --> 00:59:57,444 Been doubting yourself maybe? 391 00:59:57,567 --> 01:00:00,559 Aye. Well, I'm only human. 392 01:00:00,687 --> 01:00:03,326 And I've made it clear for you, then? 393 01:00:04,967 --> 01:00:08,880 Man of guidance, Dom, "business of the soul". 394 01:00:19,567 --> 01:00:22,559 You've been to Gweedore in Donegal? 395 01:00:23,607 --> 01:00:25,040 Aye. 396 01:00:32,527 --> 01:00:34,643 I went there when I was twelve. 397 01:00:36,567 --> 01:00:38,717 Big cross-country race for the boys, 398 01:00:38,847 --> 01:00:42,760 and we're all in the back of a minibus headed towards Derry one morning. 399 01:00:43,967 --> 01:00:46,117 I mean, this is big time. 400 01:00:46,247 --> 01:00:48,283 This is like international athletics for us, 401 01:00:48,407 --> 01:00:51,365 cos we're racing against boys in the South 402 01:00:51,487 --> 01:00:54,047 and we have this thing to do Belfast proud. 403 01:00:55,927 --> 01:00:59,806 Two of the boys are Prods and the rest of us are Catholics. 404 01:00:59,927 --> 01:01:02,157 It's a cross-community event. 405 01:01:02,287 --> 01:01:05,404 I suppose the good people in the South think this is great stuff, 406 01:01:05,527 --> 01:01:09,406 let's get this wee team over from Belfast and all that patronising shite. 407 01:01:12,207 --> 01:01:15,961 Anyway, we're through the border... 408 01:01:18,127 --> 01:01:20,846 ...the boys are all singing pop tunes and all, 409 01:01:20,967 --> 01:01:24,243 but I'm just in the back of the bus looking out the window. 410 01:01:26,087 --> 01:01:28,157 We're going through them mountains, 411 01:01:28,287 --> 01:01:30,926 you know, where Mount Errigal is and everything? 412 01:01:32,167 --> 01:01:34,203 It's a beautiful sight, Dom. 413 01:01:35,367 --> 01:01:38,564 Donegal has to be the most beautiful place in Ireland, I reckon. 414 01:01:40,087 --> 01:01:41,759 Aye. 415 01:01:47,807 --> 01:01:49,160 Anyway... 416 01:01:51,327 --> 01:01:52,999 ...we arrive at Gweedore. 417 01:01:54,247 --> 01:01:57,398 What a place. And it's hopping with about two hundred boys 418 01:01:57,527 --> 01:02:00,519 and they're getting into their gear and limbering up. 419 01:02:01,127 --> 01:02:03,482 The whole event is run by Christian brothers 420 01:02:03,607 --> 01:02:06,280 and they're clipping young fellas around the ears, 421 01:02:06,407 --> 01:02:08,762 basically trying to retain some order. 422 01:02:09,767 --> 01:02:12,964 Our team goes off for a wee jog to stretch out the legs. 423 01:02:15,367 --> 01:02:17,562 We're surrounded by fields of barley... 424 01:02:19,607 --> 01:02:23,441 ...and they dip down into a wee valley where there's a stream and woods. 425 01:02:27,087 --> 01:02:29,203 The woods and stream are out of bounds, 426 01:02:29,327 --> 01:02:32,637 so naturally us Belfast boys have to go check them out. 427 01:02:32,767 --> 01:02:35,759 Woods and a stream, Dom. Sure, that's like the Amazon to us. 428 01:02:37,687 --> 01:02:40,724 And we come across these young fellas from Cork. 429 01:02:40,847 --> 01:02:44,362 There's some banter about our accents but they could barely talk, 430 01:02:44,487 --> 01:02:46,955 we couldn't understand a word they were saying. 431 01:02:47,767 --> 01:02:50,645 You get the idea that they're lording it over us a bit, you know? 432 01:02:50,767 --> 01:02:53,565 Looking down on us. I'm sensing it anyway. 433 01:02:54,887 --> 01:02:57,799 We're running along and we come up with this idea 434 01:02:57,927 --> 01:03:01,806 to go down to the stream and check it out for fish. 435 01:03:01,927 --> 01:03:04,487 So we're down by the river, Dom... stream... 436 01:03:04,607 --> 01:03:07,121 ...it was half a foot of water in there. 437 01:03:07,247 --> 01:03:09,807 Little silver fish but nothing substantial. 438 01:03:09,927 --> 01:03:12,680 Until one of their boys call us further down. 439 01:03:14,407 --> 01:03:16,477 Lying in the water is a wee foal, 440 01:03:17,487 --> 01:03:20,320 four or five days old, he's all skin and bone, 441 01:03:20,447 --> 01:03:23,917 a grey colour, and he's got flecks of blood on his coat 442 01:03:24,047 --> 01:03:27,084 cos he's cut himself up really badly on the sharp rocks. 443 01:03:29,927 --> 01:03:33,397 We're just standing over him, and you can see his back leg snapped. 444 01:03:33,527 --> 01:03:36,678 And he's breathing, he's alive, but just about. 445 01:03:38,847 --> 01:03:41,202 So this big conversation gets started up 446 01:03:41,327 --> 01:03:44,478 between the boys who suddenly reckon themselves the leaders. 447 01:03:44,607 --> 01:03:48,395 They're deliberating what we should do. Someone says drop a rock on his head. 448 01:03:48,527 --> 01:03:52,406 But I'm looking in their faces. I can see they're either scared stiff or clueless. 449 01:03:52,527 --> 01:03:54,119 It's all bravado. 450 01:03:55,087 --> 01:03:57,999 And this foal on the ground, in real pain. 451 01:03:59,087 --> 01:04:01,601 All this chitchat going on, going nowhere. 452 01:04:03,607 --> 01:04:06,883 Next thing, one of the priests sees us, sees the foal, 453 01:04:07,007 --> 01:04:09,885 tells us not to move and we're done for, really done for. 454 01:04:10,007 --> 01:04:12,567 A group of boys will always get the blame for hurting a foal. 455 01:04:12,687 --> 01:04:15,724 A group of Belfast boys will get a hammering for sure. 456 01:04:15,847 --> 01:04:18,520 So it's clear to me in an instant, and I'm on my knees 457 01:04:18,647 --> 01:04:22,003 and I take the foal's head in my hands and I put him under water. 458 01:04:22,127 --> 01:04:24,004 He's thrashing around a bit to start, 459 01:04:24,127 --> 01:04:26,641 so I press down harder until he's drowned. 460 01:04:29,047 --> 01:04:31,641 Priest arrives, Dom. 461 01:04:31,767 --> 01:04:33,485 And he's grabbing me by the hair, 462 01:04:33,607 --> 01:04:36,963 dragging me through the woods, promising me a proper hiding. 463 01:04:37,087 --> 01:04:39,885 But I knew I did the right thing by that wee foal. 464 01:04:41,047 --> 01:04:43,481 And I could take the punishment for all our boys. 465 01:04:44,767 --> 01:04:48,396 I had the respect of them other boys now and I knew that. 466 01:04:54,767 --> 01:04:56,837 I'm clear of the reasons, Dom. 467 01:04:57,967 --> 01:05:00,959 I'm clear of all the repercussions. 468 01:05:01,087 --> 01:05:05,239 I will act and I will not stand by and do nothing. 469 01:05:41,287 --> 01:05:43,357 You can leave them there if you like. 470 01:05:44,247 --> 01:05:47,478 Don't want me rolling up the Letters of Saint John, do you? 471 01:05:52,287 --> 01:05:55,165 Couldn't have that on my conscience, no. 472 01:06:02,527 --> 01:06:05,087 I don't think I'm going to see you again, Bobby. 473 01:06:06,767 --> 01:06:08,883 There's no need, Dom. 474 01:09:35,887 --> 01:09:40,278 'And faced now with the failure of their discredited cause, 475 01:09:40,407 --> 01:09:44,036 'the men of violence have chosen, in recent months, 476 01:09:44,167 --> 01:09:47,762 'to play what may well be their last card. 477 01:09:48,807 --> 01:09:51,799 'They have turned their violence against themselves 478 01:09:51,927 --> 01:09:55,966 'through the prison hunger strike to death. 479 01:09:56,087 --> 01:10:01,923 'They seek to work on the most basic of human emotions, pity, 480 01:10:02,047 --> 01:10:04,641 'as a means of creating tension 481 01:10:04,767 --> 01:10:08,601 'and stoking the fires of bitterness and hatred.' 482 01:10:38,887 --> 01:10:43,756 There's been a deterioration of liver, kidney and pancreatic function. 483 01:10:44,807 --> 01:10:47,275 Also the bone density decreases substantially 484 01:10:47,407 --> 01:10:50,046 due to calcium and vitamin deficiencies. 485 01:10:52,607 --> 01:10:55,405 The muscle of the heart is also undernourished, 486 01:10:55,527 --> 01:10:59,236 causing impaired function and eventually cardiac failure. 487 01:11:04,767 --> 01:11:08,760 The left ventricle could shrink to seventy percent of its normal size. 488 01:11:11,287 --> 01:11:15,121 He will have low blood sugar, low energy and muscular wasting. 489 01:11:17,367 --> 01:11:20,279 He'll be experiencing gastrointestinal ulcers 490 01:11:20,407 --> 01:11:24,446 with the thinning of the intestinal wall and sub-mucosal hemorrhaging. 491 01:11:26,167 --> 01:11:29,477 There will have been degenerative changes to the mucous membrane 492 01:11:29,607 --> 01:11:33,156 of the intestines and indeed all the organs in the body. 493 01:21:39,407 --> 01:21:42,444 - Name? - Rosaleen Sands. 494 01:21:45,767 --> 01:21:48,839 - Name? - John Sands. 495 01:23:57,447 --> 01:24:00,917 People always ask us, people always ask us 496 01:24:01,047 --> 01:24:04,642 - Who we are... - Bobby! Bobby! 497 01:24:04,767 --> 01:24:08,476 And where we come from, where we come from 498 01:24:08,607 --> 01:24:12,202 And we tell them, and we tell them 499 01:24:12,327 --> 01:24:15,717 We're from Belfast, we're from Belfast 500 01:24:15,847 --> 01:24:19,317 Mighty, mighty Belfast, mighty, mighty Belfast 501 01:24:19,447 --> 01:24:22,962 And if they can't hear us, if they can't hear us 502 01:24:23,087 --> 01:24:26,602 We shout a little louder, we shout a little louder...