Changing Republican Strategy

Question 1

What did special category status mean ?

Answer 1

Allowed those who claimed that they dad broken the law for political reasons and they could live as Prisoners of war (POWs). People convicted after March 1976 would be treated the same.

Question 2

Name 3 Republican prison protests (+ dates)

Answer 2

• Blanket protest (1978)
• Dirty Protest (1978)
• Hunger strikes (Late 1980)

Question 3

When did the second hunger strike start ? How did it work ? Was it successful ?

Answer 3

1 March 1981, strikers joined at different intervals to maximise effectiveness, yes it gained a lot of publicity and sympathy.

Question 4

When did sand and the other strikers die ?

Answer 4

Sands - 5 May 1981
9 others continued until 3 October.

100,000 mourners attended sands’ funeral.

Question 5

What concessions had been granted after the hunger strikes ?

Answer 5

• prisoners allowed own clothes
• 50% reduction in length of sentence for people involved in protests
• more prison visits were permitted
• more association among prisoners would be allowed