Keeping the lid on a boiling pot: the Irish government and the hunger strikes
Dublin, fearful of the strong emotions hunger strikes aroused but opposed to ‘political status’, sought a ‘humanitarian’ solution that would limit support for Sinn Féin
A 20th anniversary commemoration of the H Block hunger strike passes the GPO on O’Connell Street, Dublin in October 2001. The Irish authorities in 1981 wanted to stymie any potential gains the Provisional republican movement might make in the Republic the longer the dispute went on Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Whilst reaction to the republican hunger strikes of 1980/81was most acute within Northern Ireland, the events had a significant impact in the Irish Republic. Emotive protests were staged in Dublin in the summer of 1981, which on occasion turned violent. Likewise, two “Anti-H-Block” candidates (one of whom participated in the hunger strikes) were elected to Dáil Éireann in the 1981 general election. The strikes also posed difficult questions for the political classes of a state which was born of violence and (rhetorically at least) aspired towards reunification, but had repudiated the legitimacy and tactics of the Provisional IRA in pursuit of that outcome.
However, the key objective, for both of the Irish governments who were in power during the crisis, was attempting to undercut support for Provisional Sinn Féin, whilst at the same time seeking a ‘humanitarian’ solution that would involve no loss of principle for either side. Throughout, Irish authorities were conscious of the dangers of the violence in Northern Ireland spilling over into the Republic, given the strong emotions engendered by the strikes.