These Bombay Street plaques are “in loving memory of the deceased republican prisoners from the greater Clonard area.” In later years, an additional plaque would be added to the left of 1921-1922 prisoners.
In August, 1969, families, mostly Catholic, were driven out and their homes burned in Bombay Street (and surrounding streets), between the Falls and Shankill. RTÉ news report | CultureNI on a Red Barn Gallery exhibition of photographs. The defenselessness of the community then is reflected in the urging for “No decommission” in the present. Fıan Gerard McAuley (aged 15) was shot in nearby Waterville Street.
816 prisoners in 18 Turkish jails went on hunger strike in protest at conditions in “F-type” prisons in late 2000. 122 people died, both inside and outside the prisons, in connection with the protest (WP).
“Sean [aka John] Downes, age 22, murdered at this location by the RUC on the 12/8/84. Victim of state violence.” Downes was hit at close range by a plastic bullet outside Connolly House on the Andersonstown Road, Belfast during an attempt by police to arrest NORAID‘s Martin Galvin. Reserve Constable Nigel Hegarty was charged with manslaughter but was cleared.
The dying Cú Chulaınn (as portrayed in bronze by Oliver Sheppard, in a statue installed in the GPO in 1935) is used as a symbol for the locals from Lenadoon area of west Belfast who fought for freedom (“saoırse”): Tony Henderson, John Finucane, Brendan O’Callaghan, Joe McDonnell, Laura Crawford, Maıréad Farrell, Patricia Black, Bridie O’Neill (subsequently changed to Bridie Quinn).
“They may kill the revolutionary but not the revolution.” The imagery of the open-throated volunteers goes back to a 1981 poster. The 11 portraits are perhaps those of the people listed on the roll of honour at Constance Markievicz House, a short distance away: Martin Skillen, Gerard Fennell, Sean McDermott, Paul Best, Pearse Jordan, Terence O’Neill, John Dempsey, Martin Forsythe, Tom Magill, Sean Savage. Kevin McCracken.
Solicitor Rosemary Nelson was killed by the Red Hand Defenders in Lurgan in 1999. At the time of her death she was representing the family of Robert Hamill. King Street, Belfast.
UDA brigadier Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair was imprisoned from 1995 to 1999 but had his early released revoked in 2000 because of the feud with the UVF and was sent to Maghaberry. He was released in May 2002 but again imprisoned in January 2003 (WP).