Joe McDonnell (hunger striker)
| Joe McDonnell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Joseph McDonnell 14 September 1951 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 8 July 1981 (aged 29) Northern Ireland |
| Organization | Provisional IRA |
| Known for | Hunger strike of 61 days, from 9 May 1981 |
| Spouse(s) | Goretti (1970–1981; his death) |
| Children | 2 |
Joseph (Joe) McDonnell (14 September 1951 – 8 July 1981) was a volunteer in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), who died in the 1981 Irish hunger strike.
McDonnell was born on Slate Street in the lower Falls Road of Belfast, and was one of 10 children. He went to a Roman Catholic school which was nearby. In 1970, he married Goretti, and moved into her sister's house in Lenadoon. There were only two Catholic houses in this predominantly Ulster Protestant housing estate, and the house was attacked on numerous occasions.
McDonnell was arrested in Operation Demetrius and interned on the prison ship HMS Maidstone along with Gerry Adams and others. He was later moved to HMP Maze for several months. Upon release, he joined the Provisional IRA Belfast Brigade. McDonnell met Bobby Sands during the preparation for a firebomb attack on the Balmoral Furnishing Company's premises in Dunmurry. During the ensuing shoot-out between the IRA, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and British Army, both men, along with Séamus Finucane and Seán Lavery, were arrested. McDonnell and the other were sentenced to 14 years in prison for possession of a firearm. None of the men accepted the jurisdiction of the court.
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