Ireland's OWN: Hungerstrikes

Ireland's OWN: Hungerstrikes

John Nixon's Comms & Letters
Long Kesh, 1977-1980

Reprinted here with permission

The historic events of the 1980/81 hunger strikes have been well documented over the period of twenty years. Books, films, plays, poems and documentaries attest to the intense interest generated by the impact the hunger strikes. Its place in northern republican history has compared with that of the Easter Rising. The dead hunger strikers have been exalted to almost mythical proportions. The young generation, many of whom have no memory of the dramatic events that lead to the decision of protesting POWs to embark on a course of action which would entail immense physical and psychological suffering culminating in death. Those who suffered and died where an enormity of dedicated republicans who had endured the repressive brutal regime of the H Blocks. Ultimately they were ordinary men who found extraordinary qualities within themselves and who fully understood what was at stake.

The first hunger strike began on October 27th. Seven men: Brendan Hughes, Sean Mc Kenna, Tommy Mc Kearney, John Nixon, Raymond McCartney, Tom McFeeley, Leo Green endured 53 days of hunger to demonstrate to the British that they or their cause was not criminal. They were at the interface of the conflict. Because they were perceived to be the most vulnerable they endured the brunt of Thatcher's scorched earth policies. Brendan Hughes, 'The Dark', a dynamic leader had brought to the protest immense experience. He commanded a lot of respect among all in the blocks even, grudgingly, from the prison regime. They were later joined by Mairéad Farrell, Mairéad Nugent and Mary Doyle.

Bobby Sands was a talented and charismatic leader who understood fully what was required of him and from those who joined him in the second and most dramatic phase of the gaol struggle. So much can be said of them: Francis, Patsy, Raymond, Kevin, Martin, Joe, Tom, Ciaran, Mickey. Ultimately they would wish to be remembered as ordinary men.

�John Nixon

56 Banbook Hill,
Armagh.
18 - 7 - 77.

Dear John, I was very surprised to receive your welcome letter for time out of number I have been asking about you and John O Neill. We are both quite well at this time but I am very bad at times with pains. There are very few of the old ones left in the city now. Yes you saw me on T.V. alright and I would do the same again tomorrow if need be as Paisley caused all this as don't you ever forget there was no Provos the time John Gallagher was shot.

I can recall a lot more than you can of the capitalistic classes who used the old City Hall for years to exploit the workers with old Dorman of Keady at its head and the stooges under him was always a nationalist and Orangeman. That was the so-called good old days, i.e., is when they gave you £1.33.0 on the dole and sent you to work for £1.9.9 when then in England you had a £1 more for going to work than you had dole otherwise you could refuse and still get your money in Armagh.

Have you ever or were you too young when in G.B they gave you a week's holidays in August and you got a week's holiday money when here you got a week with no money at all. And you had to work another week to get a one week's pay. It was me smashing the old labour exchange at the top of College Street got them paid holidays here. You can have what government here you like but it must first and foremost be a socialist government under the will of James Connolly. Don't you ever forget the capitalistic British forces murdered him and the nationalist who were then the highest in Dublin said when he was coming up for a reprieve, they dais that on no account must he get a reprieve. What had he done more than the rest they went against it because he was first and always to his death a true man of the workers.

Well you will find the place much the same when you come home. There is quite a few gone from when you were last here. I have still the two dogs yet, you remember Jimmy and Monty. If I pass on as I will so will we all I want my Jimmy put to sleep and put in my coffin as I should hate it if anyone hurt him.

Well as you know we had a great spell of weather. In fact at times thought I was back in Columba in S. America. That was about the only I ever saw a shark in my life. But I saw hundreds of flying fish they don't really fly although they have wings , they jump from one wave into the next Moreover you don't see every country in the world as there is more than 2000 merchant ships and to see every country you would need to be on every one of them Tell them all I may have got older but I won't get any wiser, ha ha.

Of the may jails I was in the Crumlin was the best. But it was very bad in 1922 on the old yellow meal for breakfast and a half pint of cocoa to wash it down.

I will close and write at anytime.
Yours always, R.V. Symington, ex 582.

Letters out from the blocks. No date ascertained yet. Possibly September/October '79.

Dear mum and Dad,

Hope all is well at home 'It's sat night and I enjoyed the visit with you and was surprised to see how much Michael and Joseph have grown. I dread to see the Martin fella or Maureen. You know I'd like to see them all' The news is building up on the hunger strike. It's definitely on so you will all have a big part to play in this. What it simply means is that lives are at stake and they must be saved. I'm sure the RAC and other will have their strategy.

I was glad to hear granny is well and up and about. You know I always ask for her. Hope all aunts and uncles and cousins are all well. Also Leroy, Gareth, Kevin I was telling the local H Block writer the apple crop was bad, I bet Da is making the money anyhow. Hope to see him in early November. I always meant to enquire about Kay's wee one Alexis. How is she? To be truthful I'd like to mention everyone. But I'm pressed for space. What is Peter Duffy at ? Any sign of him settling down. Hope he finds time to drop me a line. Glad to hear about the continuing romance of Neill and Deirdre. I include the poems. Put them in an album for me etc.

PS, Liz Dugdale's name will be on the next pass.

Streams

The twisting and glistening meandering streams
Symphony onwards in spellbound dreams
Reflecting the beauties of mountain and glen,
Mirrors of nature whose duties ne'er end.
Rallying and dallying through valleys and vales,
Gushing and rushing through dark woods and dales,
Their mystical crystalline waters run free,
Dancing enchantingly on to the sea.
Veins of silver-like smouldering embers,
Sublime in their passage through moonlit glade
Turning and burning like gold in the sunlight,
Cantering and sauntering in sunshine and shade.
Onwards they travel o'er sand o'er gravel.
Hobbling and babbling across ridges and rocks,
Steering and veering on their journeys unwearying,
Relentlessly filling the rivers and rocks.

áá Coillte
Chonaiceas thú i measc na gcoillte,
Do ghné dea-chumtha
Faoina géaga cromtha.
Ba ghile do chuma na solas na gréine
I lár na gcoillte doithne dorcha.
Trathnóna fuar ar Dheireadh Fómhair,
Is maith is cuimhin liom.
Bhí na coillte dorcha aonraic-ciúin.
Níor chualathas giolcadh ghoibín éin.
Is táimse cinnte go raibh a gcroíthe
Céasta, mar do bhí ag amharc
Ní raibh siad sásta.

Mum and Dad,

Hope all is well at home and that's you received my last letter.

All of us here are fine, me J.J., Muffles and Paddy. You may have heard that I was in hospital for a while with flu.** All is well now. My February visit is for Mary Francis and husband and our Nora (also Leroy & Mary F's kid) It'll be for the 7th. If they wish it changed let me know. I sent my personal gear out with Miriam*. The ring is for Kate and the medallion for Nora. Put the clippings and books safe away. Also I hope our Neilly has sent me back the other books.

All is much the same here. I've had my visit with Miriam as you know. I had just returned from the hospital and was not able to concentrate on what she was saying.

We heard old Anthony (Catfish) Irwin died and also that Bernie Connolly was married. Send belated greetings to her and her husband. This is all the local news we got. If any of yous write could you try and get me the words of 'The Factory Girl'.

Granny knows it and it's an old song. Also could anyone get me the words of the last two verses of 'She Moved Through the Fair'. It's for my next concert. All went well over Christmas and New Year. We had a pantomime. Me and my cell mate (Tony Quigley from Derry) played the two ugly sisters. I just can't figure out how I got such a role! I was Petunia and he Jemima. Cinders wore Wranglers and Doc Martins to the ball and the fairy godfather spoke with a Kojak accent.

Muffles gave a great Christmas concert and much begging was done to the governor not to send him to Muckamore. He wanted to go to Saint Lukes instead (St Lukes refused him). Big J.J. was too afraid to sing since the last time. Paddy Murphy sang 'A Dog Named Blue' and the whole wing felt blue after it. All in all the entertainment was good over Xmas even though we got no salt with the dinner.

We have heard that things are going well outside for us. I saw pictures of the march. Hope Da is well and working away as usual. Also all the family & relations. I'll send uncle Joe and Da out a visit soon.
John.

Letter from mum, November 13th, 1980. (73, Drumarg Park).

My dear John,

I am writing this letter today Wednesday 12th of Nov. I hope my letter finds you well also all your comrades. Well John, all at home are doing the best for you and are all praying hard for you all. Leroy keeps on asking for you also. Gareth, Nora, Kate, Sean and everyone sends their best regards to you. I hope everything is fine with you as we are looking forward to see (ing) you soon. I had a letter from Eva & Maxie they send their best wishes to you also. Granny Nixon & Marlow, Kay Alec and all the rest of your aunts & uncles. Kate will be writing to you as she has started back to work again. Well John, I want to know are you allowed some religious books

In as they are wrote in Irish language. If you like I will send them down to you. Well I suppose you know everyone is thinking of you and your friends and you are always in our thoughts. Well John, I guess I have not much more to say only I am looking forward to seeing you soon. I will bring my short letter to a close. Hoping God will give you the strength to see this through. All my love to you, from Mum and Dad and all the family. Love from all your friends and relations,

good luck John, God bless.

Letter from Kathleen, 21 . 11 . 80.

Dear Brother,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and your comrades, because I know that whatever happens it will never get you down. Mammy and Daddy were telling us that they had a good visit last Saturday and they were pleased that you looked better than what they expected. Don't forget to put me on your next visit. We are going to Dublin on Saturday to the big march. We were at Lurgan last Sunday and the Sunday before in Newry. You are getting great support. When you photo came on the telly Leroy spotted you straight away and was shouting there's John and he never left the paper out of his hand for a day. In the Irish news today (16th, Nov) there was a solidarity greeting for you from London. We don't know who it is as the gave no name.

Well John, I'm still working away in Bairnswear. But it won't be long until I'll leave as I just discovered I'm in the family way again. Leroy will be four this March coming so it was about time. Do you know what he done the other day, set the coats alight, under the stairs and they're going about with no sleeves in their coats. Talk about a handful. Every time Frances looks at her coats she's in tears. Well John, I'll end off now till my visit with you. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. All our love.

Kate, Sean, Leroy.

Ps we think the world of you.

Letter from Neilly, 25.11.80 to myself in H3, Hospital Wing.

Neilly sent this letter through the censor (as stamped) pretending it was from outside. It wasn't a very good written pretence though.

Well John,

I got your message on Sunday and it was good to hear from you again I got a script to do also and I've got a few blokes at the office typing a couple of copies of it out for me seeing as I can't type myself, so as soon as I get them I'll get them posted to the people expecting them. Well, how's the form with you at the moment? I take it it's not too good. I was watching the 'World in Action' programme last night and saw two of the blokes on the hunger strike as well as a few other who weren't. It showed the Dark sitting in the cell and it gave an interview with Mc Cartney and I can tell you things looked bad with them. The whole talk at work here to day is bout yous so you can guess for yourself what the atmosphere is like over it.

I honestly don't believe people here really understand just how bad things really are down there. We all know the score but it's just hard to accept that over 500 of you live the way you do. The fact that you are makes it that much easier for me to believe and to understand and the whole situation down there makes us all feel guilty where we are. If you know what I mean. Well, John I am trying to get time off to get a visit with you as I've put in about it. They said they would let me know in a few days. So you never know what might happen. I just hope I get it.

I see Father Murray has been to see you regularly. I've been trying to get in touch with him myself. To find out what the crack really is with you as I can't find out much at home as it isn't for the want of trying. I take you know that ma was speaking at the rally in Armagh on Sunday. I hear there was nearly 3,000 at it. I hear ma has been taking things really bad at the moment. I hear she is really broke at the moment but I reckon she will come out of it soon.

The support outside is really unbelievable at the moment and its getting better (publicity) everyday at home and abroad. The support abroad is world-wide and all in your favour. Even the Pope talked to Thatcher about it. And I'm almost sure that if had been any other government you would have had you status but you know yourself the type of government that's in power. But I reckon they will have to give in the end especially the ways things are going and especially abroad. Though John, if this goes the whole way which seem to be the case at the moment. Don't think you will ever be forgotten because John, I have enough good memories of both of us to keep me there and I know you have also. So don't think that if you die that everything will be forgotten, because it won't, you know where I stand. So you can take it from there.

Well John, all the boys at work here told me to tell you they were asking for yous all and that they are with you the whole way. Big Paul, Patsy, Pop, Seamy, Sid, Dod, Bacca, Barry and Tommy and all the others. The next time you see all the others at mass, Freddie Toal, Sleepy Hartre, Tony Duncan and Sam tell them we were asking and that we haven't forgotten any of them.

Well John, I can't really think of anything else to say at a time like this and I'm sure it's the same with you. I hope to see Da and them soon as I don't think I've seen him in a year. So I better put on a show or he'll start to think I'm in gaol too (ha ha).

Well John, I'll finish off now hope top hear from you soon, tell all we were asking and are with you the whole way, so until again.

Nollaig, 1980. An Otharlann (Christmas 1980, In Hospital)

Letter to Neilly

Litir do Neilly a scriobh me le linn na stailce. B'fheidir thart fa Mi na Nolloaig.

A Dhearthair Bhig Uafasaigh,

Fuaireas do litir cupla la o shoin is bhi athas an domhain orm cluinsint uaitse. Caide mar ata sibh ? Ar na mallaibh, chonaiceanar an meid tacaiochta ata againn ar an teilifis agus thig liom ra go raibh iontas mor orainne. Anocht, chonaiceamar Nationwide ar a raibh cas Thomis Mhic Cearnaigh agus na siuloidi mora. Ni ga domh ra go bhfaca me Caitlin agus Seosamh ag iompair mo ghriangraif ag an siuloid I mBaile Atha Cliath. Nach mor an slua a bhi ann ! Ta eagla an domhain ar na Sasanaigh agus ta siad faoi bhru go laethiul. Ta dochas ag do imo chroi go beo go ndeanfar rud eigin ar ball. Cluineann tu go mbeidh na hOraistigh ag dul ar stailc ocrais ar ball ? Mar is eol duit, ta craolachain againn sna cillini agus is beag sceal a chaillimid anseo. Ta suil agam go bhfuair tu mo nota beag. Na dean dearmad scriobh chugam ar ball.

Abair leis na fir eile go raibh mise agus an seisiur eile ag fiosru. Ta Sean Mc Kenna go han-tinn fa lathair. Ni feidir leis eiri on leaba. Is feidir linn dul amach go dti an an tseomra bhia fos chun an teilifis a bhreathnu. Fuair me cupla coip de Sheanchas Ard Mhacha ina raaibh danta agus lan staire faoi Chondae Ard Mhacha theas ann. Beidh Sagart O Muiri thuas an Deardaoin seo. Rinne me faoistin aris le linn na seachtaine agus ghlac me le chomaoin De Luain. Bhuel. Sin a bhfuil le ra agam. Ta suil agam go mbeidh rudai ag tarluint ar ball. Ta duil ag na Sasanaigh an fhaidhb seo a reiteach anois, mar ata eagla orthu mar gheall ar an cineal staide a eireoidh ma eagann duine againne. Bhuel, fagfaidh me slan go foillin agus beannacht De ortsa. Scroibh chugam aris.

John, hospital

Dan a scriobhadh ar an stailc dom. B'fheidir thart fa Mi na Samhna.

FORMHOLADH DO DHEIREADH FOMHAIR

Is alainn an saol le linn Deireadh Fomhair,
O fainne geal an lae go fuine na greine oir.
Feach ar an ailleacht I mbron coillte loma,
Ina gcodhladh go ciuin fa speartha troma.
Eist leis na gaotha ag caoineadh go bog;
Suaimhneas I gcroithe de shean agus og.
Siul ledo cheasdsearc is do chroi lan gra,
Ag moladh an Fhomhair d'oiche is la.
Breathnaigh ar realtai ag drithliu sa spear.
Seas faoin ghealach ag soilsiu go fior.
Beabhaigh ar einne ag gabhail an bhothair
Is cuimhnigh ar Dhia a chruthaigh an Fhomhair.

Dan e seo a scriobhadh ar an phluid domh roimh an stailc ocrais.

FORMHOLADH FUISEOIGE

O mhullach na speire tig seisghuth
Ceol so-aithnid na fuiseoige.
Nil rud le cluinsint ach ceol draoichta
Ag teacht anios on spear gorm.
'Binne ceol na fuiseoige na ceol clairsi.
Binne na fonn na farraige
is binne na mil fiu amahain.
Nil ean ar bith I gcomortas lei,
An lon, rogha na bpiobairi no
An cuach, an t-ean Earraigh.
Is aille gne na fuiseoige na
Drucht drithleach duilleoige
Fa ghrian rinnceach.
Is bron an domhain bas fuiseoige.

H 5 Ceis Fhada.

Nollaig, 1980. An Otharlann (hospital).

Gui e seo a chum is me gar don bhas.

A Dhia, ag fainne geal an lae, rachaidh me ar mo ghluine, togfaidh me mo shuile is gabhfaidh me buiochas leat don la, donoiche, don bhuanshaol.

Deireadh Fomhair, 1978 Litir a scriobadh ar an phluid dom

Beannachtai oraibh,

Hoping yous are all fine at home. We are all as well as can be expected here ( at times). I am looking forward to our visit on the 14th with mum, Sean and Kate. I will be a year older then. My second birthday in this hell-hole.

As you know I completed my first year on the blanket last Sunday so I'm now an 'official year man'. We had a sing-song with the usual banging on the doors. My cell-mate Tony Quigley from Derry is also on it a year. Big J.J. and Muffles are next. I had sent out a letter for you and the RAC. With Muffles but they went up into his bowels. He never got them down for days. Anyhow looking back on my 'year' I would never have believed it could be endured. It was definitely one of the hardest years in my life. Even as bad as '73.

Anyhow I am happy for I have achieved something within myself. For we have shown that our convictions are true and we are prepared to suffer anything for them. I don't know how long this will go on. Some say it's almost over but I will accept this when I have my own clothes on my back. Until then I will remain here until I go insane and they drag me off to Muckamore. This past few weeks support has really mounted for us, the Yankee Dockers and the threat from the French Dockers.

No date on this letter but it was sent out just before the beginning of then first hunger strike. I sent it to Neilly and this is a transcription of the letter done by Neilly and sent out from the cages. Definitely the week before the H-strike.

A Dhearthair,

Taim ag scriobh chugat anois mar is docha nach mbeidh deis eile agam nuair a thosidh me ar an stailc ocrais. Is eol duit anois, cuirim i gcas, ainmeacha an seachtar a bheidh ag dul ar an stailc ocrais. Mar is eol duit 'se an stailc an t-aonghleas

Troda amhain ata fagtha againn. Nil doigh eile ar bith. Is eol domhsa an fhulaingt ata bainte leis an stailc ocrias mar bhi me ar stailc riamh ar feadh tri la dheag agus mheas me ansin gur deacair go leor i. Taimid cinnte gur mor an tacaiocht ata againn fa dhaobh den ghniomh seo. Tuigeann ar bpobal amuigh ce chomh mor is ata ar bhfulaingt ar feadh na gceithre blian ata caite againn anseo, ni feidir linn (agus leo) fulaingt go ceann ceithre bliana eile. Taimid go leir ullmahithe chun an bais, is mor an seans ata anseo go bhfaighfidh bas idir lamha na Sasanach ata i gcumhacht fa lathair ach taim fein fior chinnte go bhfaighfidh ceann againne no cuid againne bas. Aithnimid go bhfuil cogadh arsa iiiiidir Sasain is eadrainn, is cuma cen ait a bhionn an cogadh sin troidte in sna priosuin no ar na sraideanna, troidfimid an cath. Duirt me ariamh leats go gcaithfidh le duine bas le fail nuair a bhionn cogadh ar siul.

NMi he seo amn chead uair ach oiread go ndearna cimi Eireannacha polaitiula agoid den saghas seo. Gleas tradaisiun trroda is ea e. Beidh orainn feidhm a bhaint aist aris gan amhras. Ta imni ormsa fa dtaobh mo mhathair, ta a fhios an scor lei. Deirfih si go seasfaidh si lemo thaobh go hiomlan ach is maith is eol go mbeidh imni an-mhor uirthi.

Is trua freisin nach bhfaca me thu o dfhag me na casanna is mor an t-athru ata tagtha ormsa. , ar mo chuma, ar mo mheabhair, is cuma liom anois faoi rud ar bith go hairithe anois nuair ata an stilc romhainn.. Deirim leat gur mor an gra a bhionn ag fear nmo ag bean nuair a oibrionn ssiad a bhfuil acu go toilteanach ar son a muintire is a tire. Ta an gra sin dothuighte agus domhinithe agus is e seo an rud gurb eigeann duinn leiriu roim an tsaol, go bhfuil an gra sin againne. Is eol, do chach nach coirpigh sinne agus ni bheidh choiche comh fhad is ata an tir gallda ag cur smacht ar ar muintire agus ar dtirem ta se de dhualgas orainne troid in aghaidh na tire sin. Ni ga domh insint duit, ta tu fein i gcarcair ar son na rudai ceanna ach ta ceimiocht polaitiul agat. Is leir on mheid seo ce chomh mor is ata fimineacht na Sasanach Derifidh me slan anois, ta suil agam go gcluinfidh me uaitse ar ball.
John.

Christmas 1978

Nollaig 1978. H5 Litir is dan o Madra Rua an leasainm a'dusais me nuair a bhi me ag scriobh litreach agus altann ar an phluid domh.

SE DO BHEATHA NOLLAG

'Se do bheatha Nollaig
is leanann Mi na Nollaig
Cuacht, siocht is sneachta, tus ar gcos ar bholg.
Mearo reoite, stampa na gcos, scealaioch cois tine.
Failte romhat a gheibridh ce nach maith aimsir garbh.
Chuirfea cuimhne uaigneach orm
Dala cuimhneachan na marbh
Ledo speasrtha dubha realtaig
Is do gheallaigh an tsolas bhain.
Ledo coillte cuinn loma
Is do ghaotha Ghear sa ghleann.
'Se do bheatha Nollaig
Feile Chriostaiochta,
Achan te a cheiliur,
Daoine saibhre is daoine bochta.
Feoile do chach ar tabla
Beagain dona leannai
Oighir ar na craobhanna
Is na spuideoga a gcanadh.
Nixy H 5.

'Seo dan agus alt daoibh. Chuir me tuairisc amach. An bhfuair sibh e. Scriobhadh ar an phapear bhan e.

Priosunach Coinsiasa

Duradh le deannai nach priosunaigh coinsiosa sinn ach fir dfhoireagain ata ionainn, ni cimi cogaidh sinne ach oiread ? Is cinnte go raibh iontas ar lan daoine nuair a foilsiodh tuairisc de mhaithiunas gineralta seachtain o shoin. Tchitear domh nach bhfuil faic ar eolas acu ar staid an Tuaisceart, go haitirthe staid na hEireann. Gan dabht, bhi iontas an domhain orainn fir pluide agus sinn faoi ghlas anseo breis is tri bhliana. Cuirim i gcas go mbeidh an cean baite i dtaca le P.L.O. agus eagraiochta eile a usaideann foireagain mar uirlis da gcuspoiri a fhail.

Shilfea nach mbaineann ach eagraioctai cosuil leis an IRA, PLO agus ETA foireagan mar uirlis. Ni ga domh tracht a dheanamh ar fhoireagan an stait; an SAS, arm an stait agus mar sin. An ndearna maithiunas gineralta machnamh ar na fir ata reidh bas a fhail ar son saoirse na hEireann, ta go leor acu curtha san uaigh agau iad i mblath na hoige. Are mhachnaigh siad ar na cimi a bhfuil tearma fada priosunacht acu agus ina bhfulaingt sna blocanna H. Ta go leor raite agam aran abhar seo da dtiocfadh le einne le ra nach nach cimi cogaidh sinne is cinnte nach maith an tuiscint atya aige ar chursa eagraiochta in eirinn.
Crioch, is nilim cinnte de chuid dena litrithe anse Thiocfahd le duine an alt seo a athcheartu Madra Rua.

Thoughts of Twenty Years ago

In the most adverse conditions the indomitable human spirit of those who are enduring hardship or oppression will manifest itself in the most unusual ways. None more so than within the confines of the prisons and particularly at Christmas time.

It is a poignant, reflective time. There is a heightened awareness of the isolation and loneliness, of physical separation from family and loved ones. A time for nostalgia; to remember -- the good times, bad times, worst of times � the living and the dying.

For blanketmen fond memories can be an inconvenience. A salient reminder of their demise. Some are spending their sixth Christmas on protest.

Someone, his face stuck at a crack in the cell door is singing a traditional air. Others listen intently at their cell door. They have forgotten the cold. No one sees them. They are there; blanket clad Rasputins. They have forgotten the cold. Some walk up and down the cells, five steps forward, five steps back. Two on the turn. For hours � for miles. Each in his own far away nostalgic world.

Others are staring out their cell windows, mesmerised by the soft snow slowly transforming the stark grey landscape. Dark is falling. Incandescent orange and purple hues reflect against a low canopy of rolling clouds. Long Kesh is a steel and concrete Bastille that will one day return to the bog -- whence it came. In H Block there is a nocturnal existence. Still they stand there, tirelessly chatting, conjuring up something old and new, evoking dim and distant memories.

Outside the snow is falling gently; falling on every part of the dark Lagan Valley, on Colin and Divis and on the Falls, falling softly on the Bogside and Bearna, on the Callan and on the turbulent Blackwater. It is falling too on Drumquin and Cullyhanna and on proud townlands that boast heroes and characters and incarcerated men folk.

Somewhere near the village of Maze a feint sound of a tolling church bell can be heard. For those who are dying each peal makes misery mark time. Outside families and loved one are waiting. Everyone is waiting � for a sign.

Down in the prison hospital there are men are dying, slowly. They hunger for justice. For those who are dying there is hope.

* Reprinted here with John Nixon's permission.