Mayo-born hunger striker's death to be remembered
Frank Stagg
A commemoration to mark the 50th anniversary of Frank Stagg’s death by hunger strike will take place in Ballina next weekend.
A native of Hollymount, Mr Stagg died in Wakefield Prison in England in 1976 after 62 days on hunger strike. He was aged just 35.
The Mayo man had received a 10-year jail sentence in 1973 for conspiracy to commit arson and during his time in prison, embarked on three hunger strikes in his quest for political status.
In 1974, Mr Stagg went on hunger strike with Gerry Kelly, Hugh Feeney, the Price sisters and his fellow Mayo man Michael Gaughan, from Ardnaree. They demanded an end to solitary confinement, access to educational facilities and repatriation to a Northern Irish prison. This hunger strike would result in the death of Michael Gaughan and ended when the group, with the exception of Frank Stagg, were transfered to Northern Ireland. Mr Stagg was denied a transfer because he was not born in Northern Ireland. He was instead transferred to Long Larkin Prison where he began a second hunger strike. His demands were met after 34 days and he called off his protest.
His third and final hunger strike took place at Wakefield in 1975. The governor dismissed the terms of the agreement Mr Stagg had fought hard to win at Long Larkin and ordered punitive treatment because of his refusal to do prison work. Mr Stagg died after 62 days on hunger strike.
His remains were brought back to Ireland and buried in Leigue Cemetery in Ballina. However, he was buried in a grave outside the Republican plot, against the wishes of some members of his family and the Republican movement, and grave was covered with concrete to prevent his body being dug up and reburied. However, following the end of an extended period of Garda surveillance in July 1977, Frank Stagg’s body was dug up and re-interned in the Republican plot next to Michael Gaughan.
The commemoration to mark the 50th anniversary will begin on Saturday next, February 14, at 12 noon with a 12km run departing from the Michael Gaughan memorial at Healy Terrace led by local athlete Hugh Armstrong and Collyn Kelly of Cú Chulainn Runners Club of Derry. A 5km run will begin at the same time.
Attendees will assemble at 1.30pm at the lower car park of Leigue Cemetery. A lone piper will lead a colour party to the grave followed by a black flag procession and members of the Stagg family. A general procession will follow behind.
The ceremony at the grave will begin at 2pm with music by members of the Stagg family. Gerry Kelly will deliver the keynote address and other speakers include Sinn Féin Cllr Gerry Murray and TD Rose Conway-Walsh.
Following the speakers, Kenneth Morrison will play the Last Post on bugle. Morrison, a native of Cork, played the Last Post at Mr Stagg's funeral 50 years ago when he was 14 years old. George Stagg will offer concluding remarks on behalf of the Stagg family.
A social gathering will take place at the at the Great National Hotel from 7pm. Spirit of Freedom, with support from Máirtín McDonnell and Bernie Carroll, will provide live music. There is no cover charge.
