Bobby Sands Politician

Robert Gerard "Bobby" Sands (Irish: Roibeárd Gearóid Ó Seachnasaigh; 9 March 1954 – 5 May 1981) was a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army who died on hunger strike while imprisoned at HM Prison Maze.He was the leader of the 1981 hunger strike in which Irish republican prisoners protested against the removal of Special Category Status. During his strike he was elected to the British Parliament as an Anti H-Block candidate. His death was followed by a new surge of Provisional IRA recruitment and activity. International media coverage brought attention to the hunger strikers, and the republican movement in general, attracting both praise and criticism.

Personal facts

Birth date	March 09, 1954
Birth place	Northern Ireland , County Antrim , Newtownabbey
Religion	Catholic Church
Date of death	May 05, 1981
Place of death	Northern Ireland , Maze (electoral ward) , HM Prison Maze , County Down

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Office holder

military operations	The Troubles
election majority	1447
military rank	Officer commanding
military unit	Provisional IRA Belfast Brigade
office	Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone
party	Anti H-Block
service end	1981
service start	1972
successor	Owen Carron