Sad news this evening Sean McKenna has died suddenly at his home.

On the 27 October 1980, Sean began a hunger strike. Many prisoners volunteered to be part of the strike, but a total of seven were selected to match the number of men who signed the Easter 1916 Proclamation of the Republic.

Sean lapsed in and out of a coma and on was on the brink of death, when the British government appeared to concede the essence of the prisoners' five demands with a thirty-page document detailing a proposed settlement. With the document in transit to Belfast, Darkie Hughes took the decision to save McKenna's life and end the strike after 53 days on 18 December.

May you rest in peace now Sean.