ABSTRACT
Hunger striking is a form of protest frequently used by Republican prisoners. Their youth and sisterhood gave the Price sisters special political leverage. The death of one or both in custody would have severely damaged the government’s reputation. Forced-feeding, often used to counter striking, was dangerous in itself. The hunger strikes of this period led to a major shift in the policy that had been in effect for more than six decades. Those deemed sane by an independent doctor would thenceforward be allowed to continue food refusal until they died. These protests sought repatriation to Northern Ireland prison. The Price sisters and two associates in the Central London bombings (Feeney and Kelly) eventually were granted transfers, but others were refused. Those denied included Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg who died on hunger strike. Struggles then ensued between the authorities and the IRA to control the obsequies in London and Ireland.
