BELFAST CITY COUNCIL is investigating after a statue of Bobby Sands was unveiled in West Belfast without the appropriate planning permission. It was erected in a memorial garden in Sands’ area of Twinbrook to mark 44 years since the former IRA member and MP died aged 27 following a sustained hunger strike in which 9 other republicans passed away. They were protesting sweeping internment measures enacted by the British Government, led by Margaret Thatcher, during the Troubles due to terrorism concerns. The deaths of Sands and his fellow strikers caused a large increase in recruitment for the IRA, after nationalist communities largely rallied in support of the group. The unveiling of the statue on Sunday was attended by First Minister of Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin vice-president, Michelle O’Neill who described it on X as a “powerful tribute” which she says “continues to inspire people here in Ireland and across the world in pursuit of freedom and justice”.
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