Bobby Sands

9 March 1954 – 5 May 1981

Bobby Sands was a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army from Northern Ireland, born in 1954. Imprisoned at HM Prison Maze, he led the 1981 hunger strike by republican prisoners seeking political status and was elected Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone while on strike. He died after 66 days without food.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Bobby Sands.

Life events

Born in Newtownabbey, County Antrim
9 March 1954

Robert Gerard Sands was born near Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Family moved to the Rathcoole housing estate
1962

The Sands family relocated to Rathcoole in north Belfast.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Joined the Provisional Irish Republican Army
1972
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Married Geraldine Noade
1973

The couple had one son, Gerard.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relationship ✓
Imprisoned after conviction for possession of firearms
1973 – 1976

Sands was held until his release in 1976.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Sentenced to 14 years for firearms possession after a bombing in Dunmurry
1977

He was returned to custody following his arrest in 1976 and sentenced the following year.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Began a hunger strike at HM Prison Maze
1 March 1981

Sands was the first of the republican prisoners to refuse food in the 1981 strike over prisoner status.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Elected Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
9 April 1981

He won the Westminster by-election while on hunger strike in prison.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died at HM Prison Maze
5 May 1981

Sands died on the 66th day of his hunger strike.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓