Hunger strike commemorations announced

The peace process is part of the legacy of the hunger strikes, according to Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan.

He said: "The hunger strike showed that a policy of criminalisation and censorship could never succeed and it was only when that reality was finally recognised that we had the dialogue which led to peace."

"Thatcher’s legacy is to be seen in the securocrats and others who wield influence on British government policy and delay progress on issues like demilitarisation and with policing," he said.

The hunger strike showed that a policy of criminalisation and censorship could never succeed and it was only when that reality was finally recognised that we had the dialogue which led to peace Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan

He was speaking today at the Dublin 1981 H-Block Committee launch of a series of events to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the hunger strikes.

The programme of events will go on throughout the country and abroad during the coming months.

Tonight there will be a candlelight vigil at the GPO at 7 p.m. and a film night at the Irish Film Centre at 8 p.m.

Tomorrow there will be a public meeting with former hunger striker Mr Lawrence McKeown, and Sinn Féin leader Mr Gerry Adams at Trinity College at 8 p.m.