Files contain allegations that a weak Raymond McCreesh wanted to take nourishment but was talked out of it
A POIGNANT description of the last days of the third hunger striker to die, Raymond McCreesh, from south Armagh, is contained in confidential files on the 1981 Maze hunger strike.
The files contain allegations that a weak McCreesh had indicated a willingness to accept nourishment but that his family had advised there should be no medical intervention. McCreesh, a Provisional IRA prisoner, was serving 14 years for the attempted murder of soldiers.
A “note for the record” dated May 18th, 1981, notes that on May 16th, McCreesh was on day 56 of his hunger strike and described by the prison doctors as “in a confused and disorientated state of mind. At about 6pm he had a conversation with the prison hospital officer and said that he would like a drink of milk”, the file states.
The prison doctor was sent for. Despite his confusion, the note continues: “McCreesh gave an affirmative answer to the question from the doctor, ‘Do you want us to save your life’?”
In a statement in the file, L Nolan, a senior hospital officer at the prison, informed the prison governor that when Dr Emerson put this question to McCreesh, “he replied ‘Yes’ in a strong voice”. Dr Emerson then phoned the hunger striker’s family.
When the McCreesh family arrived at 8.30pm, they were interviewed by the doctor. Nolan records that the family impressed on the doctors that “McCreesh’s wish, which was expressed some weeks ago, should be respected and he should be allowed to continue his hunger strike with dignity”. As a consequence, the two doctors left the hospital.
In a separate statement, Paul Lennon, a prison officer, informed the governor that he was aware earlier that day that McCreesh was considering ending his hunger strike but, when offered milk, he indicated that he wished to see his family first. “At 21.20 hours McCreesh’s visitors entered – his mother, sister and two brothers, one of whom is a priest.”
Lennon alleged that he overheard the conversation between the family and the dying man since, owing to the fact that the prisoner’s hearing was affected, the visitors had to speak loudly.
He recalled: “I could hear Fr McCreesh repeatedly telling his brother to be strong and to remember where he was – ‘You are in Long Kesh concentration camp, being looked after by prison warders. Remember O’Hara [his comrade on hunger strike]; he is strong and on hunger strike the same number of days as you’.”
According to the report, McCreesh asked about Francis Hughes, the second hunger striker to die, to which his brother, Fr Brian McCreesh, replied, “He is in heaven with Bobby Sands.” Both brothers told how proud they were to have carried Hughes’s and Sands’s coffin at their funerals.
At this stage, according to Lennon’s account, the prisoner’s mother said: “Now, Raymond, you are going back on your word.”
McCreesh was repeatedly told to remember where he was, not to get confused and not to listen to anyone but his family.
Lennon concludes his report to the governor: “At 22.00 hours, his visitors left the ward, reminding prisoner McCreesh not to get confused and that they would see him tomorrow [Sunday]. Later I learned that the McCreesh family said that he made the decision whilst he was in sound mind and the decision to remain on hunger strike stood.”
On May 18th, following his visit to his brother, Fr Brian McCreesh sent a telegram to British prime minister Margaret Thatcher to implore her to intervene: “My brother Raymond McCreesh is a prisoner in HMP Maze. For four years he has gone without clothes, without visits, without washing. He has now gone without food for 57 days. All he has left is his pride as an Irishman and his loyalty to his fellow prisoners, living and dead. I beg you to respect his dignity and save him.”
The prime minister replied to the priest that, while she hoped his brother would choose to live, the concessions demanded were not in her government’s gift.
On May 20th a solicitor acting for the McCreesh family issued a statement demanding an independent inquiry into “all aspects of Raymond McCreesh’s care and condition at the Maze hospital” including “why certain questions were put to him” and why certain “leaks” were conveyed to the media afterwards.
In a subsequent press statement, the Northern Ireland Office stated that on May 16th, McCreesh had indicated his willingness to accept medical treatment while in a confused state of mind but that the family’s wishes had been respected.
McCreesh died the following day, along with Patsy O’Hara, an INLA prisoner from Derry, both on the 61st day of their fast.