Letter: Bobby Sands has been described as an 'activist' but let's not forget he joined the Provisional IRA and was involved in criminality
A letter from Kenny Donaldson:
The recent challenge by Jim Allister MP to the BBC's reporting description of Bobby Sands as “an activist” is fair comment and needed.
This is the Bobby Sands who was imprisoned at The Maze, minus the folklore.
Bobby Sands was born in Whiteabbey, Newtownabbey.
He joined the Provisional IRA in June 1972 after he moved to Twinbrook in Belfast. In October 1972 he was arrested for possessing four handguns, he was convicted in April 1973 and released in April 1976.
Upon his return to Belfast, Bobby Sands resumed Provisional IRA activities where he planned the bombing of the Balmoral Furniture Company which had previously been attacked by the UVF in 1971.
The showroom was destroyed but as the Provisional IRA terrorists left the scene there was a gun battle with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, leaving behind two wounded terrorists.
The remaining four (including Sands) tried to escape by car, but were arrested.
One of the revolvers used in the attack was found in the car.
In 1977 the four were sentenced to 14 years for possession of the revolver. They were not charged with explosive offences.
Bobby Sands was the leader of the hunger strikes and died after 66 days.
We take no glee in Bobby Sands’ death, all human life is sacred.
We mourn the manner in which he chose to live and the decisions he took (with the Provisional Republican Movement at his back) to die.
Kenny Donaldson, Director, South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF)