N; /)\./v
MR

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Seattle, WA 98122
bi573@scn.org

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Tne dlury oF Bobby Sands

Sunday Ist 3

Lam standing on the threshokd of another trembling workd. May Gl have
mercy on my soul.

My heart is very sore because I know that I have broken my poor
mother’s heart, and my home is struck with unbearable anxiety. But [
have considered all the arguments and tried every means to avoid wh:
has become the unavoidable: it has been forced upon me and my com-
rades by four-and-a-half years of stark inhumanity.

1 am a political prisoner. I am a political prisoncr because I am a casu-
alty of a perennial war that is being fought between the oppressed Irish

people and an alien, oppressive, unwanted regime that refuses to with-
draw from our land.

1 believe and stand by the God-given right of the Irish nation to sover-
cign independence, and the right of any Irishman or woman to assert

this right in armed revolution. That is why I am incarcerated, naked and
tortured.

Foremost in my tortured mind is the thought that there can never he
peace in Ireland until the foreign, oppressive British presence is
removed, leaving all the Irish people as a unit to control their own
affairs and determine their own destinies as a sovereign people, free in

mind and body, separate and distinct physically, culturally and econom-
ically.

1 believe I am but another of those wretched Irishmen born of a risen

generation with a deeply rooted and unquenchable desirc for frecdom. |
am dying not just to attempt to end the barbarity of H-Block, or to gain
the rightful recognition of a political prisoner, but primarily he:
what s lost in here is lost for the Republic and those wretchcd
oppressed whom I am deeply proud to know as the ‘risen peaple.

‘There is no sensation today, no novelty that October 27th broght
(The starting date of the original seven man hunger-strike) The usual
Screws were not working. The slobbers and would-be despots no doubt
will be back again tomorrow, bright and carly.

T wrote some more notes to the girls in Armagh today. Ther is so

m
The Oiary oF BoddY Sands
much 1 would like (o say about them, about their courage, determina-
tion and unque it of resistance. They are o be what
Countess Annc Devlin, Mary Ann McCracken, Marie
M . y, and those other lrish heroines are to us all.
And, of course, | think of Ann Parker, Laura Crawford, Rosemary
Bleakeley, and 1'm ashamed to say 1 cannot remember all their sacred

Mass

bit of fruit last night. As fate had it, it was an orange, and the final
ironv. it was bitter. The food is being left at the door. My portions, as
expected, are quite larger than usual, or those which my cell-mate

s solemn, the lads as ever brilliant. I ate the statutory weekly

Malachy s getting.

Monday 2nd

Much to the distaste of the Screws we ended the no-wash protest this.
morning. We moved to B’ wing, which was allegedly clean.

We liave shown considerable tolerance today. Men are being searched
coming back from the toilet. At one point men were waiting three hours
10 get out to the toilet, and only four or five got washed, which typifies
the cagerness of the Screws to have us off the no-wash. There is a lot
of petly vindictiveness from them.

I saw the doctor and I'm 64 kgs. I've no problems.

“The priest, Fr John Murphy, was in tonight. We had a short talk.
heard that my mother spoke at a parade in Belfast yesterday and that
Marcella cried. It gave me heart. I'm not worried about the numbers of
the crowds. I was very annoyed last night when I heard Bishop Daly's
ut (issued on Sunday, condemning the hunger-strike). Again he

¢ his double set of moral standards. He seems to forget that
ople who murdered those innocent Irishmen on Derry's Bloody
Sunday are still as ever among us; and he knows perhaps better than
anyone what has and is taking place in H-Block.

}e understands why men are being tortured here the reason for crimi-
natisation. What makes it so disgusting, I believe, is that he agrees with
that underlying reason. Only once has he spoken out, of the beatings
and inhumanity that are commonplace in H-Block.

2)
I'he O1GRY OF Bobdy Sands
1 once read an editorial, in late 78, following the then Archbishop O
Fiaich's ‘sewer r ipes of Calcutta’ statement. It said it was to the ever-
lasting shame of the Irish people that the archbishop had to, and I para-
rhnm, stir the moral conscience of the people on the H-Block issuc. A

ot of time has passed since then, a lot of torture, in fact the followin;
year was the worst we experienced.

s

Now I wonder who will stir the Cardinal’s moral conscience...

Bear witness to both right and wrong, stand up and speak out. But
don’t we know that what has to be said is “political’, and it's not that
these people don’t want to become involved in politics, it simply that
their politics are different, that is, British.

My dear friend Tomboy's father died today. I was terribly annoyed,
and it has upset me.

1 received several notes from my family and friends. I have only read
the one from my mother — it wis what I needed. She has regained her
fighting spirit I am happy now,

My old friend Seanna (Walsh, a fellow blanket man) has also written,

T have an idea for a poem, perhaps tomorrow I will try to put it
together.

Every time I feel down I think of Armagh, and James Connolly. They
can never take those thoughts away from me.

Tuesday 3rd

I'm feeling exceptionally well today. (It's only the third day, I know,
but all the same I'm feeling great.) I had a visit this morning with two
reporters, David Beresford of The Guardian and Brendan O Cathaoir of
The Irish Times. Couldn’t quite get my flow of thoughts together. |
could have said more in a better fashion.

63 kgs today, so what?

A priest was in. Fecl he’s weighing me up psychologically for a later
date. If I'm wrong I'm sorry but I think he is. So I tried to defuse any
notion of that tonight. I think he may have taken the point. But whether
he accepts it, will be scen. He could not defend my onslaught on Bishop

(3)

The viary oF Boddy Sands
Daly or at least he did not try.

1 wrote some notes (o my mother and to Mary Doyle in Armagh; and
will write more tomorrow. The boys are now all washed. But I dida’t
et washed today. They were still trying to get men their first wash.

1 smoked some ‘bog-rolled blows' today, the luxury of the Block!

“They put a table in my cell and are now placing my food on it in front
of my eyes. | honestly couldn’t give a damn if they placed it on my
kne. They still keep asking me silly questions like, *Are you still not

ot started on my pocm today, but I'll maybe do it tomorrow.
The trouble is I now have more ideas.

Got papers and a book today. The book was Kipling’s Short Stories
with an introduction of some length by W. Somerset Maugham. I took
ant dislike (o the latter on reading his comment on the lrish peo-
ple during Kipling's prime as a writer: ‘It is true that the Irish were
King a nuisance of themselves.” Damned too bad, I thought, and big-
ger the pity it wasn’ta bigger nuisance! Kipling I know of, and his
Ulster connection. I'll read his stories tomorrow.

Ag r&aucute; an phaidrín faoi dhó achan Iá

atdaacute; na buachaillí anois. Níl aon rud eile agam
anocht. Sin si

(Translated this reads as follows: The boys are now saying the rosary
twice every day. | have nothing clse tonight. That's all.)

Wednesday 4th

Fr Murphy was in tonight. I have not felt 100 bad today, although I
nolice the energy beginning to drain. But it s quite carly yet. I got
showered today and had my hair cut, which made me feel quite good.
‘Ten years younger, the boys joke, but I feel twenty years older, the
inevitable consequence of cight years of torture and imprisonment.

reast with the news and view with utter disgust and anger the
n/Thaicher plot. 1t seems quite clear that they intend to counteract

i expansionism with imperialist expansionisim, to protect their
vital interests they say.

(4)
The 01arY of Boddy Sands

What they mean is they covet other nations” resources. They want to
steal what they haven't got and to do so (as the future may unfortunate-
ly prove) they will murder oppressed people and deny them their sover-

cignly a8 nations. No doubt Mr Haughey willto theline inIreland
when Thatcher so demands.

Noticed a rarity today: jam with the tea, and by the way the Screws
are plaring at the food. They seem more in need of it than my good self.

Thursday 5th

‘The Welfare sent for me today to inform me of my father being taken
ill to hospital. Tried to get me to crawl for a special visit with my fami-
ly. T was distressed about my father's illness but relicved that he has
been released from hospital. No matter what, I must continue.

1 had a threatening toothache today which worried me, but it is gone
now.

I've read Atkins' statement in the Commons, Mar dheá!
(Atkins pledged that the British government would not budge an inch
on its intransigent position.)It does not annoy me because my mind was
prepared for such things and I know I can expect more of such, right to
the bitter end.

T came across some verse in Kipling’s short stories; the extracts of
verses before the storics are quite good. The one that I thought very
good went like this

The earth gave up her dead that tide,
Into our camp he came,

And said his say, and went his way,
And left our hearts aflame.

Keep tally on the gun butt score,

‘The vengeance we must take,

When God shall bring full reckoning,

For our dead comrade’s sake.
The D1arRY oF BoddY Sands

1 hope not," said I to myself. But that hope was not even a hope, but a
mere figure of speech. I have hope, indeed. All men must have hope
and never lose heart. But my hope lies in the ultimate victory for my
poor people. Is there any hope greater than that?

I'm saying prayers crawler! (and a last minute one, some would say).
But I believe in God, and I'll be presumptuous and say he and I are gel-
ting on well this weather.

1 can ignore the presence of food staring me straight in the face all
the time. But I have this desire for brown wholemeal bread, butter,
Dutch cheese and honey. Hal! It is not damaging me, because, I think,
*Well, human food can never keép a man alive forever,’ and I console
myself with the fuct that I'll get a great feed up above (if I'm worthy).

But then I'm struck by this awful thought that they don’t eat food up
there. But if there's something better than brown wiolemeal bread,
cheese and honey, etcetera, then it can’t be bad.

The March winds are gelting angry tonight, which reminds me that
I'm twenty-seven on Monday. 1 must go, the road is just beginning, and
tomorrow is another day. I am now 62 kgs and, in general, mentally and
physically, I feel very good.

Friday 6th

There was no priest in last night or tonight. They stopped me from
seeing my solicitor tonight, as another part of the isolation process,
which, as time goes by, they will ruthlessly implement. I expect they
may move me sooner than expected to an empty wing. T will be sorry to

leave the boys, but I know the road is a hard one and cverything must
be conquered.

I have felt the loss of energy twice today, and I am fecling slightly
weak.

They (the Screws) are unembarrassed by the enormous amount of
food they are putting into the cell and I know they have every bean and
chip counted or weighed. The damned fools don't realise that the doctor
does tests for traces of any food caten. Regardless, I have no intention
of sampling their tempting morsels.

Lam sleeping well at night so far, as I avoid slecping during the day. T

(6
The diary oF Boddy Sands
am even having pleasant dreams and so far no headaches. Is that a trib-
ute to my psychological frame of mind or will I pay for that tomorrow
or later! T wonder how long 1 will be able to keep these scibbles going?

My friend Jennifer got twenty years. I am greatly distressed. (Twenly-
one-year-old Jennifer McCann, from Belfast’s Twinbrook estate, was
sentenced to twenty years” imprisonment for shooting at an RUC: man).

1 have no doubts or regrets about what I am doing for I know what |
have faced for cight years, and in particular for the last four and-a-half
years, others wil face, young lads and girls still at school, or young
Gerard or Kevin (Bobby's son and nephew, respectively) and thou:
sands of others.

Trzy will not criminalise us, rob us of our true identity, steal our indi-
vidualism, depoliticise us, chum us out as systemised, institutionalised,
decent law-abiding robots. Never will they label our liberation struggle
as criminal.

Tam (even after all the torture) amazed at British logic. Never in eight
centuries have they succeeded in breaking the spirit of one man who
refused to be broken. They have not dispirited, conquered, nor demor-
alised my people, nor will they ever.

I'may be a sinner, but I stand and if it so be, will die happy knowing
that I do not have to answer for what these people have done to our
ancient nation.

Thomas Clarke is in my thoughts, and MacSwiney, Stagg, Gaughan,
Thomas Ashe, McCaughey. Dear God, we have so many that another
one to those knaves means nothing, or so they say, for some day they'll
pay.

When I am thinking of Clarke, I thought of the time I spent in ‘B"
wing in Crumlin Road jail in September and October *77. I realised just
‘what was facing me then. I've no need to record it all, some of my com-
rades experienced it t0o, so they know I have been thinking that some
feople (maybe many people) blame me for this hunger-strike, but

ave tried everything possible to avert it short of surrender.

1 pity those who say that, because they do ot know the British and |
feel

more the pity for them because they don’t even know their poor
selves. But didn't we have people like that who sought to accuse Tonc,

(4]
The Diary oF BoddyY Sands

Emmet, Pearse, Connolly, Mellowes: that unfortunate attitude is peren-
nial also...

1 can hear the curlew passing overhead. Such a lonely cell, such a
lonely struggle. But, my friend, this road is well trod and he, whoever
he was, who first passed this way, deserves the salute of the nation. I
am ut a mere follower and I must say Oíche Mhaith.

Saturday 7th

I received a most welcome note tonight from Bemie, my sister. old
Bernic. 1 love her and think she’s the greatest.

T'am now convinced that the authorities intend to implement strict
isolation soon, as I am having trouble in seeing my solicitor. I hope I'm
wrong about the isolation, but we’ll see.

1U’s only that I'd like to remain with the boys for as 1ong as possible
for many reasons. If I'm isolated, I will simply conquer it.

A priest was in today, somewhat pleasant, and told me about Brendan
O Cathaoir's article in The Irish Times during the week, which I saw.
We had a bit of discussion on certain points, which, of course, were to
him contentious. He was cordial in his own practised way, purely tacti-
cal, of course, and at the same time he was most likely boiling over
inside, thinking of the reference to this week’s AP/RN (February 28th
issue) calling him a collaborating middle-class nationalist, or appropri-
ale words to that effect.

He s 100, says I, and I sympathise with those unfortunate sons of God
who find themselves baling against the poverty, discase, corruption,
death and inhumanities of the missions...

1am 61 kgs today, going down. I'm not troubled by hunger pangs, nor
paranoiac about anything pertaining to food, but, by God, the food has
improved here. I thought I noticed that during the last hunger-strike.
Well, there is a lot at stake here.

(8)
I NC VIARY OF BOobbY Sanus
1 got the <i>Irish News today, but there's nothing in it, that's why [
gotit. )

I'm looking forward to secing the comrades at Mass tomorrow, all the
younger looking faces, minus the beards, moustaches, long rambling
untamed hair matted in thick clumps.

One thing is sure, that awful stage, of the piercing or glazed eyes, the
tell-tale sign of the rigours of torture, won't be gone - f it is ever
removed. T wonder is it even conceivable that it could be erased from
the mind? .

We got a new comrade during the week. Isn't it inspifing the com-
rades who keep joining us? I read what Jennifer said in court. (On
being sentenced, Jennifer McCann said: ‘I am a Republican prisoner of
war and at the moment my comrade Bobby Sands is on hunger-strike o
defend my rights as a political prisoner.’). | was touched and proud, she.
is my comrade.

I've been thinking of Mary Doyle and Ellen McGuigan and all the
rest of the girls in Armagh. How can I forget them?

The Screws are staring at me perplexed. Many of them hope (if their
eyes tell the truth) that [ will die. If need be, I'll oblige them, but my
God they are fools. Oscar Wilde did not do justice to them for I believe
they are lower than even he thought. And I may add there is only one
thing lower than a Screw and tha is a Governor. And in my experience
the higher one goes up that disgusting ladder they call rank, or position.
the lower one gets...

Its raining. I'm not cold, my spirits are well, and I'm still getting
some smokes decadence, well sort of, but who's perfect. Bad for your
health. Mar dheas anois, O&iacute;che Mhaith.

Sunday 8th

In a few hours time I shall be twenty-seven grand years of age.

Paradoxically it will be a happy enough birthday; perhaps that's
because I am free in spirit. I can offer no other reason.

1 was at Mass today, and saw all the lads minus their beards, cic. An
American priest said Mass and I went to Communion. One of the lads.
collapsed before Mass, but he's all right now. Another was taken out to

(2)
The Owary oF BoddyY Sands

Musgrave military hospital. These are regular occurrences.
Tam 60.8 kgs today, and have no medical complaints.

1 reccived another note from my sister Bernie and her boyfriend. It
does my heart good to hear from her. I got the

Irish News today, which carried some advers in support of the
hunger-strike.

‘There is a stand-by doctor who examined me at the weekend, a young
man whose name I did not know up until now. Little friendly Dr Ross

has been the doctor. He was also the doctor during the last hunger-
strike.

Dr Emerson is, they say, down with the “flu... Dr Ross, although
friendly, s in my opinion also an examiner of people’s minds. Which
reminds me, they haven't asked me to sec a psychiatrist yet. No doubt
they will yet, but I won't see him for I am mentally stabie, probably
more 5o than he.

I read some wild-life articles in various papers, which indeed brought
back memories of the ‘once-upon-; e budding ornithologist! It was a
bright pleasant afiernoon today and it is a calm evening. It is surprising
what even the confined eyes and cars can discover.

1am awaiting the lark, for spring is all but upon us. How I listened to
that lark when 1 was in H-5, and watched a pair of chaffinches which
arrived in February. Now lying on what indeed is my death bed, I still
listen even to the black crows.

Monday 9th

1 have left this rather late tonight and it is cold. The priest Fr Murphy
was in. | had a discussion with him on the situation. He said he enjoyed
our talk and was somewhat enlightened, when he was leaving.

On the subject of priests, I received a small note from a F S. C. from
Tralee, Kerry, and some holy pictures of Our Lady. The thought
touched me. If it is the same man, I recall him giving a lecture to us in
Cage 11 some years ago on the right to lift arms in defence of the free-
dom of one’s occupied and oppressed nation. Preaching to the convert-
ed he was, but it all helps.

(10)
Inc O1ary oF Boddy Sands
Itis my birthday and the boys are having a sing-song for me, bless
their hearts. I braved it to the door, at their request, to make a bit of a
speech, for what it was worth. I wrote to several friends today including
Bernie and my mother. I feel all right and my weight is 60 kgs. Ia

1 always keep thinking of James Connolly, and the great calm and
dignity that he showed right to his very end, his courage and resolve.
Perhaps I am biased, because there have been thousands like him bui
Connolly has always been the man that I looked p to.

1 always have tremendous feeling for Liam Mellowes as well; and for
the present leadership of the Republican Movement, and a confidence
in them that they will always remain undaunted and unchanged. And
again, dare I forget the Irish people of today, and the risen peapie of the
past, they too hold a special place in my heart.

Well, L have gotten by twenty-seven years, so that is something, T may
die, but the Republic of 1916 will never die. Onward to the Republic
and liberation of our people.

‘Tuesday 10thIt has been a fairly normal day in my present circum-
stances. My weight is 59. 3 kgs. and I have no medical problems. I have
seen some birthday greetings from relatives and friends in yesterday's
paper which I got today. Also I received a bag of toiletries today.

There is no priest n tonight, but the chief medical officer dropped in,
took my pulse, and left. I suppose that makes him feel pretty important,

From what I have read in the newspapers I am becoming increasingly
worried and wary of the fact that there could quite well be an attempt at
a later date to pull the carpet from under our feet and undermine us I
not defeat this hunger-strike with the concession bid in the form of ‘our
own clothes as a right'.

But if allowed birth could, with
of the Catholic hierarchy, seriously damage our position. It is
inion that under no circumstances do they wish to sce the prison-

tatus, or facilities that resemble, or afford us with the
al status.

contents of, polit

The reasons for this are many and varied, primarily motivated by the
wish to see the revolutionary struggle of the people brought to an end.
The criminalisation of Republican prisoners would help o furnish this

(m
The Oiary oF BoddyY Sands

end.

s the declared wish of these people to see humane and better con-
ditions in these Blocks. But the issue at stake is not *humanitarian’, nor
about better or improved living conditions. It is purely political and
only a political solution will solve it. This in no way makes us prisoners
elite nor do we (nor have we at any time) purport (o be elite.

We wish to be treated ‘not as ordinary prisoners” for we are not crimi-

nals. We adumit no crime unless, that is, the love of one’s people and
country is a crime.

Would Englishmen allow Germans to occupy their nation or
Frenchmen allow Dutchmen to do likewise? We Republican prisoners
understand better than anyone the plight of all prisoners who are
deprived of their liberty. We do not deny ordinary prisoncrs the benefit
of anything that we gain that may improve and make easier their plight.
Indeed, in the past, all prisoners have gained from the resistance of
Republican jail struggles.

1 recall the Fenians and Tom Clarke, who indeed were most instru-
mental jn highlighting by their unflinching resistance the ‘terrible silent
sysiem” in the Victorian period in English prisons. In every decade
there has been ample evidence of such gains to all prisoners due to
Republican prisoners’ resistance.

Unfortunately, the years, the decades, and centuries, have not seen an
end o Republican resistance in English hell-holes, because the struggle
in the prisons goes hand-in-hand with the continuous freedom struggle
in Ircland. Many Irishmen have given their lives in pursuit of this -
dom and 1 know that more will, myself included, until such times as
that freedom is achieved.

1am still awaiting some sort of move from my cell to an empty wing
and total isolation. The last strikers were ten days in the wings with the
boys, before they were moved. But then they were on the no-wash
protest and in filthy cells. My cell is far from clean but tolerable. The
waler is always cold. I can't risk the chance of cold or “flu. Itis six days
since I've had a bath, perhaps longer. No mater.

Tomorrow is the eleventh day and there is a long way to go. Someone
should write a poem of the tribulations of a hunger-striker. I would like
10, but how could 1 finish it.

(2)
The D1ary oF BoddyYy Sands

Caithfidh meacute; a dul mar tSaacute; twirseach ag eirSiacute;
ormsa.

(Translated, this reads as follows):

Must go as I'm gelting tired.

Wednesday 11th

I received a large amount of birthday cards today. Some from people 1
do not know. In particular a Mass bouquet with fifty Masses on it from
Mrs Bums from Sevastopol Street. We all know of her, she never for-
gets us and we shan't forget her, bless her dear heart.

1 also received a card from reporter Brendan O Cathaoir, which
indeed was thoughtful. I received a letter from a friend, and from a stu-
dentin America whom I don’t know, but again it’s good o know that
people are thinking of you. There were some smuggled letters as well
from my friends and comrades.

1am the same weight today and have no complaints medically. Now
and again 1 am struck by the natural desire to cat but the desire (0 sce an

end to my comrades" plight and the liberation of my people is over-
whelmingly greater.

‘The doctor will be taking a blood test tomorrow. It scems that Dr
Ross has disappearcd and Dr Emerson is back..

Again, there has been nothing outsta
bath this morning. I have also been thi
that they are not suffering too much.

g today except that I took a
king of my family ard hoping

1 was trying (o piece together a quote from James Connolly today
which I'm ashamed that I did not succeed in doing but I'll paraphrase
the meagre few lines I can remember.

«They go something like this: a man who is bubbling over vith enthu-
siasm (or patriotism) for his country, who walks through the streets
among his people, their degradation, poverty, and suffering, and who
(for want of the right words) does nothing, is, in my mind, a fraud; for
Treland distinct from its people is but a mass of chemical clements.

Pechaps the stark poverty of Dublin in 1913 does not exist today, but
then again, in modern day comparison to living standards in other

(1)
R B

Places through the world, it could indeed be said to be the same if not
worse both North and South. Indeed, one thing has not changed, that is

the ezonomic, cultural and physica oppression of the same Iish po-
ple...

Even should there not be 100,000 unemployed in the North, their pit-
tance of a wage would look shame in the company of those whose wage
and profit is enormous, the privileged and capitalist class who sleep
upon the people’s wounds, and sweat, and toils.

‘Total equality and fraternity cannot and never will be gained whilst
these parasites dominate and rule the lives of a nation. There is no
equality in a society that stands upon the cconomic and political bog if
only the strongest make it good or survive. Compare the lives, com-
forts, habits, wealth of all those political conmen (who allegedly are
concerned for us, the people) with that of the wretchedly deprived and
oppressed.

Compare it in any decade in history, compare it tomorrow, in the
future, and it will mock you. Yet our perennial blindness continues.
‘There are no luxuries in the H-Blocks. But there is true concern for the
Irish people.

Thursday 12th

Fr Toner was in tonight, and brought me in some religious magazines.

My weight is 58.75 kgs. They did not take a blood sample because
they want to incorporate other tests with it. So the doctor says they'll do
it next week.

Physically I have felt very tired today, between dinner time and later
afternoon. I know I'm getting physicaily weaker. It is only to be expect-
ed. But P'm okay. I'm still getting the papers all right, but there’s noth-
ing heartening in them. But again I expect that also and therefore I must
depend entircly upon my own heart and resolve, which 1 will do.

I received three notes from the comrades in Armagh, God bless them
again.

1 heard of today’s announcement that Frank Hughes will be joining
me on hunger-strike on Sunday. T have the greatest respect, admiration
and confidence in Frank and [’know that I am not alone. How could 1

(")

The Diary ofF Boddby Sands

ever be with comrades like those around me, in Armagh and outside.

T've been thinking of the comrades in Portlaise, the visiting facilitics
there are inhuman. No doubt that hell-hole will also eventually explode
in due time. I hope not, but Haughey’s compassion for the prisoners
down there is no different from that of the Brits towards prisoners in the
North and in English gaols.

T have come to understand, and with cach passing day 1 understand
increasingly more and in the most sad way, that awful fate and torture
endured (o the very bitter end by Frank Stagg and Michael Gaughan.
Perhaps, — indeed yes! 1 am more fortunate because thosc poor com-
rades were without comrades or a friendly face. They had not even the
final consolation of dying in their own land. Irishmen alonc and at the
unmerciful ugly hands of a vindictive heartless enemy. Dear God, but |
am 5o lucky in comparison.

1 Lave poems in my mind, mediocre no doubt, poems of hunger strike
and MacSwiney, and everything that this hunger-strike has stirred up in
my heart and in my mind, but the weariness is slowly creeping in, and
my heart is willing but my body wans to be lazy, so | have decided to
mass all my energy and thoughts into consolidating my resistance.

That is most important. Nothing else scems to matter except that lin-
gering constant reminding thought, ‘Never give up’. No matter how
bad, how black, how painful, how hearl-breaking, ‘Never give up',
“Never despair’, ‘Never lose hope’. Let them bastards laugh at you all
they want, let them grin and jibe, allow them to persist in their humilia-
tion, brutality, deprivations, vindictiveness, pelly harassments, let them
laugh now, because all of that is no longer important or worth a
response.

Tam making my last response 10 the whole vicious inhuraan atrocity
they call H-Block. But, unlike their laughs and jibes, our laughter will
be the joy of victory and the joy of the people, our revenge will be the
liberation of all and the final defeat of the oppressors of our aged
nation.

Friday 13th

I'm not superstitious, and it was an uneventful day today I feel all
right, and my weight is 58.5 kgs.

(15)
cee ey V) UUUUY OUNUS

1 was ot so lired today, but my back gets sore now and again sitting
in the bed. I didn't get the <i>Irish News, which makes me think there
is probably something in it that they don’t wish me to see, but who
cares. Fr Murphy was in tonight for a few minutes.

The Screws had a quick look around my cell today when I was out
getting water. They are always snooping. I heard reports of men beaten
up during a wing shift ...

Nothing changes here.

Sean McKenna (the former hunger-striker)is back in H-4, apparently
still a bit shaky but alive and still recovering, and hopefully he will do
5010 the full.

1 awoke with the sparrows this morning and the only thought in my
head was: here comes another day, Bobby reminding me of a song I
once wrote a long time ago.

This is it anyway:

Mh&wacute;scail m&eacute; leis an
gealbh&aacute;in ar maidin agus an t-
aon smaointe amh&aacutesin i mo
cheann - seo chugat I&aacute; eile a
Roibeard. Cuireann &eacute; sin amhran
a scrétiacutejobh m&eacute;; bhfad
&oacute; shin i nd&wacute;il domsa.

Seo Gueacute; cib &eacute; ar bith.

D’ Geacute;irigh m&eacute; ar maidin
mar a th&aacute;inig an
coimhe&aacuteid&oacute;ir,

Bhuail sSteacute; mo dhoras go trom's
gan labhaire.

Dhearc m&eacute; ar na ballai, ‘S
sh&iacute;] m&eacute; nach raibh
m&eacute; beo,

Tehiacute;tear nach n-imeoidh an t-iff-

(1)
The Diary oF BoddyY Sands

rean seo go deo.

Déoscail an doras ‘s n&iacutesor
druideadh &eacute; go ciuacutesin,

Ach ba chuma ar bith mar nach raibhea-
mar in&aacute;r suan.

Chuala m&eacute; Seacute;an 's ni
fhaca m&eacute; geal an lac,

Is mian m&oacutesr liom go raibh me go
doimbhin foai,

Ca bhfuil mo smaointi ar lacthe a
chuaigh romhainn,

S c&aacute; bhfuil an tsaol a smaoin
m&eacute; abh&iacute; sa domhain,

Ni chluintear mo bh&eacute;ic, ‘s
n&iacute; fheictear mar a rith mo dheor,

Nuair a thigeann ar |Swacute;
aith&iacuteocfaidh m&eacute; iad go
mor.

Canaim &eacute; sin leis an phort Siun
Néiacute; Dhuibir.

Translated this reads as follows:

Larose this morning as the Screw came,

He thumped my door heavily without
speaking,

Istared at the walls, and thought I was
dead,

Teseems that this hell will never deparc.

‘The door opened and it wasn't closed
()
1L VIUKY UF DUOOY >Ands
gently,

But it idn't really matter, we weren't
asleep.

I heard a bird and yet didn't see the dawn
of day,

Would that I were deep in the earth.
Where are my thoughts of days gone by,

And where is the life I once thought was
in the world.

My cry is unheard and my tears flowing
unseen,

When our day comes I shall repay them
dearly.

I sing this to the tune Siun Néiacute; Dhuibir.

Bh&uacute; na heinuiacute;nGuiacute; ag ceiliuacute;eacht
inni&wacute;. Chaith ceann de na buachaill&iacute; arSaacute;
amach as an fhuinneog, ar a leghad bh&iacute; duine &eacute;
ithe. Uaigneach abh&iacute; m&eacute; ar feadh tamaill
tr&uaacute;thnSoacute;na beag inniGuacute; ag &eacutejisteacht leis
na préeacute;ach&aacutein ag screadéaacutesil agus ag teacht
abhaile daobhtha. D&tacute; geluinfinn an fhuiseog Saacuteslainn,
brisfeadh s&incute; mo chro&iacute;.

Anois mar a scr&iacute;obhaim t&aacute; an corrcrothar ag caoincadh
mar a th&eacute;ann siad tharam. Is maith liom na
hein&iacute;n&iacute;.

Bhuel caithfidh m&eacute; a dul mar m&wacute; scr&iacute;obhain
niacutejos m&oacute; ar na heinSuiacute;n&iacute; seo beidh mo
dheora ag rith s rachaidh mo smaointi ar ais chuig, an t-am nuair
abhuiacute; m&eacute; Soacute;g&uaacute;nach, bliad na laennta agus
iad imithe go deo anois, ach thaitin siad liom agus ar a laghad
né&iacute;| dearmad de&aacute;nta agam orthu, ta siad i mo
chroSuacute; — ofincuteiche mhaidh anols

(8)

The O1ary oF BoddyY Sands

(Translated, this reads as follows:)

The birds were singing today. One of the boys threw bread out of the
window. At least somebody was cating!

1 was lonely for a while this evening, listening to the crows caw as they
returned home. Should I hear the beautiful lark, she would rent my

heart. Now, as | write, the odd curlew mournfully calls as they fly over.
like the birds.

Well, I must leave off, for if I write more about the birds my tears will
fall and my thoughts return to the days of my youth.

They were the days, and gone forever now. But 1 enjoyed them. They
are in my heart — good night, now.

Saturday 14th

Again, another uneventful somewhat boring day. My weight is 58.25
kgs, and no medical complaints. I read the papers, which arc full of
trash.

‘Tonight's tea was pie and beans, and although hunger may fuel my
imagination (it looked a powerful-sized meal), I don’t exaggerate: the
beans were nearly falling off the plate. If I said this all the time to the
lads, they would worry about me, but I'm all right.

It was inviting (I'm human too) and I was glad to see it leave the cell.
Never would I have touched it, but it was a starving nuisance. Ha! My
God, if it had have attacked, I'd have fled.

T was going to write about a few things I had in my head but they i
wait. T am looking forward o the brief company of all the lads at Mass
tomorrow. You never kniow when it could be the last time that you may
ever see them again.

1 smoked some cigarettes today. We still defeat them in this sphere. If
the Screws only knew the half of it; the ingenuity of the POW is some-
thing amazing. The worse the situation the greater the ingenuity.
Someday it may all be revealed.

On a personal note, Liam Og (the pseudonym for Bobby Sands"
(9)
The diary oF Boddy Sandg
Republican Movement contact on the outside), I just thought I'd take.
this opportunity tonight of saying to your good hard-working self that I
admire you all out there and the unselfish work that you all do and have

done in the past, not just for the H-Blocks and Armagh, but for the
struggle in general.

1 have always taken a lesson from something that was told me by a
sound man, thet is, that everyone, Republican or otherwise, has his own

particular part to play. No part is too great or too small, no one is too
old or too young to do something.

‘There is that much to be done that no select or small portion of people
can do, only the greater mass of the Irish nation will ensure the achieve-

ment of the Socialist Republic, and that can only be done by hard work
and sacrifice.

So, mo chara, for what it's worth, I would like to thank you all for
what you have done and I hope many others follow your example, and
I'm deeply proud to have known you all and prouder still to call you
comrades and friends.

On a closing note, I've noticed the Screws have been really slamming
the cell doors today, in particular my own. Perhaps a good indication of
the mentality of these people, always vindictive, always full of hate.
I'm glad to say that I am not like that.

Well, I must go to rest up as I found it tiring trying to comb my hair
today after a bath.

So venceremos, beidh bua againn cigin la cigin. Sealadaigh abu.
(Translated, this reads as follows:)

So venceremos, we will be victorious someday., Up the Provos.

Sunday 15th

Frank has now joined me on the hunger-strike. I saw the boys at Mass
today which I enjoyed. Fr Toner said Mass.

Again it was a pretty boring day. I had a bit of trouble to get slopped
out tonight and to get water.

(20)
The Di1ary oF Boddby Sands
1 have a visit tomorrow and it will be good (o see my family. | am also

Tooking forward to the walk in the fresh air, it will tirc me out, but |
hope the weather is good. I must go.

Monday 16th

T had a wonderful visit today with my mother, father and Marcella.
‘Wonderful, considering the circumstances and the strain which indeed
they are surely under.

As I expected, I received a lot of verbal flak from Screws going and

coming from the actual visit. Their warped sense of humour was evi-
dent in their childish taunts, etcetera.

T wrapped myself up well to keep me from the cold. My weight is
58.25 kgs today, but I burnt up more energy today with the visit. I've no
complaints of any nature.

I've noticed the orderlies are substituting slices of bread for bits of
cake, etcetera — stealing the sweet things (which are rare anyway) for
themselves. I don’t know whether it's a case of ‘How low can you get?"
or ‘Well, could you blame them? But they take their choice and ill of
the food always, 50 it's the former.

They left my supper in tonight when the priest (Fr Murphy) was in.
There were two bites out of the small doughy bun. L ask you'!

I got the Sunday World newspaper; papers have been scarce for the
past few days.

There is a certain Screw here who has taken it upon himself to harass
me to the very end and in a very vindictive childish manner. It does not
Worry me, the harassment, but his attitude aggravates me occasionally.
Itis one thing to torture, but quite a different thing to exact enjoyment

from it, that's his type.

There was no mirror search going out to visits today — a pleasant
change. Apparently, with the ending of the no-wash protest, the merce-
nary Screws have lost all their mercenary bonuses, eicetera, notwith-
standing that they are also losing overtime and 50 on. So, not (o b out-
done, they aren't going to carry out the mirror search any more, and its
accompanying brutality, degradation, humiliation, etcetera.

()
INe VIURY Ur DUOOY >d>unus
Why! Because they aren’t being paid for it

I'm continually wrapped up in blankets, but find it hard to keep my
‘et warm. It doesn’t help my body temperature, drinking pints of cold
water. I'm still able to take the salt and five or six pints of water per day
vithout too much discomfort.

The books that are available to me are trash. I'm going to ask for a

lictionary tomorrow. I'd just sit and flick through that and learn, much
more preferable to reading rubbish.

‘The English rag newspapers I barely read, perhaps flick through them
ind hope that 1o one opens the door. A copy o last week's AP/RN was
uggled in and was read out last night (ingenuity of POWs again). I

joyed listening to its contents (faultless - get off them ! - good lad
Janny (Morrison)). I truly hope that the people read, take in and
inderstand at least some of the truths that are o be regularly found in it.

see Paddy Devlin is at his usual tricks, and won't come out and sup-
Sort the prisoners...

‘Well, that’s it for tonight. I must go. O&iacute;che Mhaith.

Tuesday 17th

PSuaacute;draig inniSwacute; ‘s mar is gnStaacute;ch n&iacutesor
th&aacuterla aon rud suntasach, bh&iacute; m&eacute; ar aifreann
agus mo chuid gruaige gearrtha agam néiacuteios gaire, agus Seacute;
TBhtad nuincutesos fesre felsin. agart nach aibh at mo aithie
abh&iacute; ag réacute; ran aifreann.

Bhéiacute; na giollaiacute; ag tabhairt an bhia amach do
cl.S&uaacute;ch abh&iacute; ag teacht ar ais &oacute;n aifreann.
Rinneadh iarracht chun tabhairt pl&aacute;ta bidh domhsa. Cuireadh
Stoacute;s coacute;mhair m'aghaidh ach shiuacute;l mSieacute; ar
‘mo shi&iacute; mar is nach raibh aon duine ann.

Fuair m&teacute; cuacutespla nuachtSaacute;n inniuwacute;
agus mar shaghas malairt bh&uiacute; an Nuacht na hEireann ann.
Taacutesim ag fSaacutesil p&eacute; an sceacutesal atSaacute; le
fSacute;il &oacuteina buachaill&iacute; cibSeacute; ar bith.
Choniac m&eacute; ceann dona docht&uacute;ir&iacute; ar maid-
un agus &eacute; gan beacuteasaiacute;. Cuireann seacute;
tuirse ormsa. Bhéiacute; mo chuid meachain 57.50 kgs. N&iacute;

(22)
The O1arRY of Boddy Sands

raibh aon ghear&acute;n agam.

Bhéuacute; oifigeach isteach liom agus thug sSeacute;
beagSuaacute;n &uiacuteide beacutesil domhsa. Arsa seacute; 'tchim
g0 bhfuil tSuacute; ag [Seacutesigheadh leabhar gairid. Rudmaith
B Teabhs fuda Gcscute; mar nincute; chrlochn&uoacuteidh
tSuwicute; &eacutes’.

Sin an saghas daoine atSaacute; iontu. Ploid orthu. Is cuma liom.
Léwacute; fad&aacute;lach ab ea &eacute;. Bh&iacute; m&eacute; ag
smacineamh inniéwacute; ar an ch&eacutesalac&acutein seo.
Deireann daoine a [&aacute;n faoin chorp ach n&iacute; chuireann

muinSiacuten sa chorp ar bith. Measaim ceart go leor go bhfuil saghas
troda.

An diSuwacutes n&iacute; ghlacann leis an chorp an easpaidh
bidh, is fulaingSiacute;onn s&eacute; Soacute;n chathSuwacute; bith,
is greithe airithe cile a bh&iacute;onn ag s&iacute;orchlipeadh an
choirp. Troideann an corp ar ais ceart go leor, ach deircadh an lac;
t&ieacute;ann achan rud ar ais chuig an phr&iacuteiomhrud, is
&eacute; sin an mheabhair.

Is &eacute; an mheabhair an rud is t&aacute;bhachtaiiacute;.
Maura bhfuil meabhair [Suacutesidir agat chun cur in aghaidh le achan
rud, n&iacute; mhairfidh. Néiacute; bheadh aon sprid troda agat. Is
ansin cen &uacuteiit as a drigeann an mheabhair cheart seo.
Bfh&eacuteiidir as an fhonn savirse.

Néuiacute; h&eacute; cinnte gurb Seacute; an Sacuteiit as a
dtigeann s&eacute;. Mura bhfuil siad in inmhe an fonn saoirse a
scriosadh, n&iacute; bheadh siad in inmhe t&wacute; (Seacutesin a
bhriseadh. N&iacute; bhrisfidh siad m&eacute; mar tSaacute; an fonn
saoirse, agus saoirse mhuintir na hEireann i mo chroSiacute;.
Tiocfaidh I&aacute; &eacute;igin nuair a bheidh an fonn saoirse
seo le taispeSuaacutesint ag daoine go ISeacutesir na hEireann ansin
tch&uiacuteidh muid &eacutejir&iacute; na geala&iacute;

(Translated, this reads as follows:)
St Patrick's Day today and, as usual, nothing noticeable. | was at

Mass, my hair cut shorter and much better also. T didn't know the
priest who said Mass.

(23)
The 01arY oF Boddy Sanas

The orderlies were giving out food to all who were returning from
Mass. They tried to give me a plate of food. It was put in front of my
face but I continued on my way as though nobody was there.

1 got a couple of papers today, and as a kind of change the Irish
News was there. I'm getting any news from the boys anyway.

1saw one of the doctors this morning, an ill-mannered sort. It ries
me. My weight was 57.70 kgs. | had no complaints.

An official was in with me and gave me some lip. He said, I see
you'te reading a short book. It a good thing it isn't a long one for you
won't finish it

That's the sort of people they are. Curse them! I don't care. It's
been a long day.

1 was thinking today about the hunger:strike. People say a lot
about the body, but don't trust it. 1 consider that there is a kind of
fight indeed. Firstly the body docsn't accept the lack of food, and it suf-
s from the templation of o, and from other aspeets which gnaw at
it perpetually.

The body fights back sure enough, but at the end of the day every-
thing returns to the primary consideration, that is, the mind. The mind
is the most important.

But then where does this proper mentality stem from? Perhaps from
one’s desire for freedom. It isn't certain that that's where it comes from.

I they aren’t able to destroy the desire fot freedom, they won't
break you. They won't break me because the desire for freedom, and
the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn
when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show.

Itis then we'll see the rising of the moon.

(24)
Who Was Bobby Sands?

On March 1, 1981 Bobby Sands Initiated a hunger
strike on behalf of Irish Republican Army (IRA) prisoners of
war Interred In British prisons. This action was taken In
protest of the elimination of the special status of IRA
prisoners, previously guaranteeing them certain rights under
the auspices of the Geneva Convention as legitimate P.O.W.s.

Sands' protest was joined by many of his Imprisoned
comrades In an attempt to force the British government to
concede to the IRA's demands that P.O.W. status be re-
Instated for all IRA prisoners. By revoking this status, the
British government was In effect equaling resistance (o Its
Impertalist system with common criminal activity and denying
s Implicit political nature. The IRA hunger strikers took the
ullimate step to regain this right and to legltimize the struggle
of thelr nation for its Independence.

During the course of this strike Bobby Sands was
nominated and elected as MP (or representative) to Parllament
In a campaign run by Sinn Fein, the IRA's political party. It
was hoped that this election of Sands to Parliament would
galn support for the sirkers' demands. Unfortunately the
publicity and support It drew was not enough and Sands was
allowed o die with no attempt made to settle the demands of
the strikers.

Evenlually, ten IRA hunger strikers died before the
strike was called off. Negotiations failed to produce the
desired concessions from the Thalcher government, although
most demands were soon met with unofficial changes In
policy. No public concessions n regards to the struggles of
the IRA or it's politcal prisoners and P.O.W.'s were ever
made.

{contihued on back cover)
The struggle of Bobby Sands and the other IRA
hunger strikers are Important lessons for us all. The state will
try to criminalize our movements for liberation and our actions
In defense of our principles but we must never allow It to
equate revolutionary activities with those of economic or anti-
socal crimes.

While we can not agree totally with the positions of
the IRA or the struggle In which they are embrolled, we can
recognize the efforts that they have taken against British
Impertalism and the sacrifices they have made for thelr Ideals,

The struggle of the Irish people for their lberation Is
a long and vibrant history of revolt against an unjust system.
In publishing this pamphlet we hope to lluminate a personal
side of this struggle as experienced by one who, for a time,
was at Its center. Also, this dlary represents a chronicle of
prison resistance, something we In the U.S. can refer to as
Incarceration rates soar and the prison population Increases.
Itis resistance, by poltical as well as "social" prisoners, to the
penal and "criminal Justice” systems that we must foster In our
own struggle for liberation from the state and capltalism.

‘reedom, mutual aid, solidarity, direct action. justice, Life - social revolution

P.O.Box721