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Bobby Sands

Updated: 12/20/2025, 11:57:57 AM Wikipedia source

Robert Gerard Sands (Irish: Roibeárd Gearóid Ó Seachnasaigh; 9 March 1954 – 5 May 1981) was a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) who died on hunger strike while imprisoned at HM Prison Maze in Northern Ireland. Sands helped to plan the 1976 Balmoral Furniture Company bombing in Dunmurry, which was followed by a gun battle with the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Sands was arrested while trying to escape and sentenced to 14 years for firearms possession. He was the leader of the 1981 hunger strike in which Irish republican prisoners protested against the removal of Special Category Status. During Sands's strike, he was elected to the UK Parliament as an Anti H-Block candidate. His death and those of nine other hunger strikers was followed by a surge of IRA recruitment and activity. International media coverage brought attention to the hunger strikers, and the republican movement in general, attracting both praise and criticism.

Infobox

Preceded by
Frank Maguire
Succeeded by
Owen Carron
Born
Robert Gerard Sands(1954-03-09)9 March 1954Dunmurry, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Died
5 May 1981(1981-05-05) (aged 27)HM Prison Maze, County Down, Northern Ireland
Cause of death
Hunger strike
Political party
Anti H-Block
Spouse
mw- Geraldine Noade (m. 1973)
Children
1
Relatives
Bernadette Sands McKevitt (sister)
Allegiance
Provisional Irish Republican Army
Years of service
1972–1981
Unit
First Battalion South West Belfast, Belfast Brigade
Battles/wars
The Troubles
Party
Anti H-Block

Tables

· External links
Preceded byFrank Maguire
Preceded byFrank Maguire
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded byFrank Maguire
Parliament of the United Kingdom
MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone 9 April – 5 May 1981
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Succeeded byOwen Carron
Preceded byStephen Dorrell
Preceded byStephen Dorrell
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded byStephen Dorrell
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Baby of the House 9 April – 5 May 1981
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded byFrank Maguire
MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone 9 April – 5 May 1981
Succeeded byOwen Carron
Preceded byStephen Dorrell
Baby of the House 9 April – 5 May 1981

References

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  87. "Erin Sands - Granddaughter of Bobby Sands - Wins Junior All-Ireland with Down"
    https://www.balls.ie/gaa/erin-sands-bobby-sands-down-gaa-567256
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