[Shasown]

Originally Posted by setanta

And sorry, about the hunger strikers: they were asking for political status and were willing to die for their cause. Just think about that for a second. To starve oneself for what you believe in. These are not the actions of men hellbent on bloodletting - they're the actions of people who firmly believe in a cause that's worth fighting for. A war worth fighting for. Have you watched Hunger? Staggeringly brilliant film and directed by an Englishman.

Yes one of the best films I have ever seen.

Not the actions of men hellbent on bloodletting?

Bobby Sands, jailed for possession of a frirearm, charges of bombing dropped due to lack of evidence, charges for being involved in shootout with the RUC droppped through lack of evidence.
Francis Hughes - murder, attempted murder.
Raymond McCreesh - attempted murder, possession of a rifle and ammunition
Patsy O'Hara - Possessing a hand grenade.
Joe McDonnell - Possession of a firearm.
Martin Hurson - Involvement in planting landmines and other explosives offences.
Kevin Lynch - stealing shotguns, taking part in a punishment shooting and conspiring to take arms from the security forces
Kieron Doherty - possession of firearms and explosives and hijacking a car.
Thomas McElwee, murder, reduced on appeal to manslaughter. Planting firebombs.
Michael Devine - possession of rifles, shotguns and possession of 3,000 rounds of ammunition.

Squeaky clean bunch eh?

Generally speaking about their convictions, when they were done for possession of, it wasnt found in their homes or sheds or anything like that, it was in their possession as they were going to use it. Attempted murder or manslaughter were dropped unless it could be proven they had actually tried to commitor committed the offences.