FROM THE ARCHIVES:The failed uprising against Communist rule in Hungary in 1956 led to a flood of refugees, 537 of whom were allowed into Ireland. Soon, most became disillusioned with the lack of work and the cold army huts in which they were housed near Limerick. Their protests led to a hunger strike, described in this front page report, and blamed by a leader on an "obnoxious element" and "fractious minority". –
JOE JOYCE
THE 371 Hungarian refugees at Knockalisheen Camp, Co. Clare, yesterday staged their official hunger strike, although many had food stored in the army huts and used it at normal mealtimes.
The strike was the means they used to draw official attention to their “sit and rust” existence at the camp. They hope that their protest will hasten official action in providing visas to enable them to leave this country.
It was learned at the camp yesterday that the Irish Red Cross agreed at the start to look after the refugees, but that it was outside their terms to secure work for them or to arrange immigration visas. However, the Red Cross have managed to place some in good jobs. Without official reason, the refugees have left these jobs, and have come back to the camp. Although arranging visas is a Government matter, from time to time the Red Cross has used its influence in an effort to hurry the passage of Hungarians to other countries.
Two-day arrangements will be made to feed the 100 children in Knockalisheen. Three failed to turn up to school, although their Hungarian teacher was there.
Five Hungarians turned up for breakfast, but at lunchtime none turned up for their meal of percot, a Hungarian preparation of beef stew. The meal was prepared for only a small number because of the threat of hunger strike and was cooked by the Fermanagh army cook. When none turned up to eat it, the food was turned over to charitable use in Limerick.
The four-man committee elected by the Hungarians yesterday patrolled the empty camp. No children played; no Monday wash hung. But there was laughter and singing from the tar-stained wooden huts which nestle above Limerick city, at the foot of the Clare Hills.
The main objection of the Hungarians to their stay in Knockalisheen is the feeling of desolation; that nobody cares about their future. Most of those at the camp have been very active in Hungary – there are miners, technicians and craftsmen of many types – and they mostly want to get to the Americas.
There is no elaboration on whether there is any internal pressure; the fact that five Hungarians turned up for breakfast, and none for lunch or tea, seems to indicate that there is. Relations between the Red Cross workers and the Hungarians are still excellent.
Five months ago, 530 Hungarians came to Knockalisheen. Some 371, including about 100 children, are still there; the rest have gone to jobs, left them, or gone abroad, some back to Hungary.
Official spokesmen said yesterday: “We want to work, but the work is not there. We appreciate what has been done for us from the time of the October rebellion, but we just cannot sit and wait.”
Jobs in Ireland have been found, but they have left them, and it is hard to find a reason why. Trade union objection, although it exists, is said not to be too severe. Yet the men in the camp still remain idle. They believe that in the Americas – Canada will take them if they have sponsors – they all will be given employment; they want to go very badly, and they cannot understand the hold-up.
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