230417-1716 “Brendan Mc Laughlin”. Sláñτĉ & Sэl ag t’, a Ζρendáñ,
This interview with a 70’s/80’s I.R.A. volunteer, was recorded in his house in May 2011.
Having replaced Vol. Francis Hughes, Brendan did 12 days on hunger-strike and his life was saved by a stomach ulcer that would have killed him in a few days…
Even so, Brendan had to be ordered to end his hunger-strike by his O.C.
This film is at the “Radio edit” stage and I apologise for having left this job so long, as I have a wee unwritten rule:
that I commemorate our Volunteers best by getting us what they fought and sacrificed themselves for…
The story of Brendan Mc Laughlin is the story of an ordinary young man who offered his life to his fellow Irish people.
His unbroken and steadfast loyalty is evident in a few parts of this chat.
It’s nice, too, to be commemorating a living Volunteer.
Sláinte agus saol agat, a Bhreandáin,
Proinsias.
This is part of our “Behind the Mask” series about Ireland.
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This is the fairly complete conversation, though one name has been erased, since I know that this man does not want to revisit the torture he got in the H Blocks.