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Funeral of former hunger striker Funeral of former hunger striker
(about 2 hours later)
The funeral of former hunger striker and IRA commander Brendan Hughes has taken place.The funeral of former hunger striker and IRA commander Brendan Hughes has taken place.
The 59-year-old Belfast man was taken into hospital last week after becoming critically ill. He died on Saturday.The 59-year-old Belfast man was taken into hospital last week after becoming critically ill. He died on Saturday.
More than 2,000 people lined the streets as the funeral procession made its way from his home in west Belfast to Saint Peter's Cathedral.More than 2,000 people lined the streets as the funeral procession made its way from his home in west Belfast to Saint Peter's Cathedral.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams was among the mourners and helped carry Mr Hughes's coffin to the church.Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams was among the mourners and helped carry Mr Hughes's coffin to the church.
He was the "officer commanding" IRA prisoners in the Maze jail and ordered a dirty protest and later led the first republican hunger strike in 1980.He was the "officer commanding" IRA prisoners in the Maze jail and ordered a dirty protest and later led the first republican hunger strike in 1980.
In recent years he became critical of Sinn Fein and the route it was taking.In recent years he became critical of Sinn Fein and the route it was taking.
Brendan Hughes joined the IRA in 1969. He was arrested in the early 1970s along with Gerry Adams and Tom Cahill and sent to Long Kesh, which later became the Maze prison. Brendan Hughes led a hunger strike in 1980Brendan Hughes joined the IRA in 1969. He was arrested in the early 1970s along with Gerry Adams and Tom Cahill and sent to Long Kesh, which later became the Maze prison.
He escaped shortly afterwards in a rolled up mattress but was eventually re-arrested. He escaped shortly afterwards in a rolled-up mattress but was eventually re-arrested.
In 1977 he was transferred to the H-Blocks where he became the IRA OC and led the hunger strike. In January 1978 he was transferred to the H-Blocks where he became the IRA OC and led the hunger strike.
It lasted 53 days after republicans believed they had struck a deal with the authorities on the issue of prisoners' uniforms.It lasted 53 days after republicans believed they had struck a deal with the authorities on the issue of prisoners' uniforms.
Brendan Hughes led a hunger strike in 1980
Mr Hughes called the hunger strike off as Sean McKenna was on the verge of death.Mr Hughes called the hunger strike off as Sean McKenna was on the verge of death.
Bobby Sands, who had been a close aide of Hughes, took over as "officer commanding" in the Maze Prison. He ordered the second hunger strike in 1981 in which he and nine other inmates died.Bobby Sands, who had been a close aide of Hughes, took over as "officer commanding" in the Maze Prison. He ordered the second hunger strike in 1981 in which he and nine other inmates died.
Brendan Hughes never fully recovered from his hunger strike ordeal and two years ago underwent an operation to save his sight.Brendan Hughes never fully recovered from his hunger strike ordeal and two years ago underwent an operation to save his sight.