Republican graffiti (painted in 1998) in Lenadoon Avenue, Belfast calling for the release of political prisoners. The release of prisoners under the Good Friday Agreement was completed in July 2000.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01937
The fight for political status by the ten 1981 hunger-strikers in the H-Blocks (plus Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg from the 70s) is linked to the status of republican prisoners in Maghaberry in 2001. A volunteer in funereal clothing, including an Easter lily on his beret, is at the centre. Camlough Road/Carnagat Road, Newry, stronghold of PIRA S. Down, Armagh Brigade.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01741 M01739
Graffiti in support of republican prisoners in Maghaberry. Central Drive, Derry. The Irish Times profiled the prison in 2017.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01600
An early IRPWA [Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association] flag, a Tricolour with a gunman and fists in manacles, demanding “political status now!” in Lecky Road, Derry.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01593
Rooftop graffiti on Racecourse Road, Derry, dating back to the 1990 extradition of Dessie Ellis from Ireland to the UK, seen previously in a number of graffiti and at least one mural. The graffiti was still visible in 2015.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01571
A fist clenched two strands of barbed wire. “Saoırse [freedom] – Free all POWs”.
Andersonstown Road, west Belfast
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01472
Scots Guardsmen Mark Wright and James Fisher, who served six years of a life sentence for the killing of Peter McBride and then rejoined the army, are compared to republican POWs: “An open letter to the British Secretary of State: Why does your government show preferential treatment to ‘state murders’ while discriminating against Irish POWs – we are denied employment, PSV license, no adoption, compensation, visas. Why? Signed St James’s POWs. Co[m]hıonannas do gach duıne” (equality for everyone)
Donegall Road, west Belfast
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01464
Twentieth anniversary of the hunger strikes in Long Kesh and Armagh Women’s prison, 1980-2000.
Beechmount Avenue, west Belfast
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01458
“Merry Christmas & a happy new year to the Castlerea Five from the people of Belfast.” The Castlerea Five were five republican prisoners not released in 2000 (under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement) (An Phoblacht). They were jailed in Roscommon for involvement in the killing of Garda Jerry McCabe in 1996 (four of manslaughter, one of conspiracy to rob). Divis Street, Belfast
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2001 Peter Moloney
M01498
Images of the vandalised and deteriorating murals (see Release The Prisoners Of War Now) on Racecourse Road, Shantallow, Derry.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 1998 Peter Moloney
M01587 M01588
