The full horror of what Thatcher did has come to light through statements issued by the for Iris Justice and Peace in the aftermath of McDonnell's death.
For over a month the Commission naa acicu as a go-between between the and the H Block prisoners.
Monday they agreed the basis of a settlement DCIWCCIl the prisoners and Michael Alison, the MusTS ICI responsible for prisons in the north of Ireland.
Twenty-four later withdrew its assent to the and a new chapter in British duplicity in Ireland had been written. Rules The kev stages in ine negotiations were 3 June. The Irish Commission for Peace and Justice issues a statement on the strike. makes three suggestions as a way of ending the deadlock: 1)
should be onsoners allowed to wear their own whenever they wish. 2) There should be a Te axallull the rules governing the association prisonels, providing there is no military train'illegal activity. 3) The question of prison WORK should be reviewed to ensure it is 'of the greatest cultural and educational value'.
June John Hume, leader of the emocrac anu Labour Party has talks with HumONTCY Hume Atkins in told London.
movement' by the government would "inevitable' providing 'the prisoners ц'ere о clear that. if the government were to act along the unes suggested the Commission TOH Justice and Peace' they would respond positively.
iS June The US Bishops' Conference join the Irish, English and Welsh bishops commending the proposals of the Commission is: Justice and Peace.
Conference = soners to indicate ina:
ine proposals made by Commission. could lead solution of the Tre H Biock == = " talks to bring about a settlement'.
19 June The Commission savs the atmosphere between the British government and the prie-neimes 'mellowing'. Times Says the Commission's proposals would to political status', and that 'they are allioulll changes that any government Cole contemplale making on merit'.
22June A member of the Commission hunger striker. According to the prisoners the Commission member 'stated his belief that we were pursuing a settlenuinely ment to the hunger-strike'.
23 June The Commission hold talks Michael Alison, the government minister charge of According to the Irish Times the 'encouraged the belief among members that 'a resolution oi ine prison alspuic now possible.
Humphrey 17 Line 'welcomes' the June statement the Irish Bishops, which called on indicate ine prisoners acceptance of the Commission's proposals.
30 June The Commission holds a further meeting Alison who then WiLD sends a letter to the Comclarifying the government's attitude to MUSSIOLE the 3 June proposals.
Atkins issues a slalt ment which says 'scope exfor further provements in ine prison The Commission says thai Atkins' statement and their talks with Alison give encouragement continue with their efforts шлел achieve a resolution of the prison dispute'.
3/4 July TWO meetings between the Commission and Alison which 'clarify' the government's towards ine s june proposais.
On 4 July the Commisthe hunger strikers and reports them that in light of the assurances given by Alison Lne liOW 'under a moral obligation to take action on the inree areas suggested by us in our 3 June statement' tell i he commission the prisoners that the goremmer:
erd.re say they would not object Lo any orson relordi luc were granted being extend ed to all prisoners. On association LNIC prison, : do not envisage around. ourselves the blocks as we please';
'work' the DISON. 'achievement of compatible arrangement should be The ......,.210000 now accepted.
6 July In the words of a later satement issued bi the Commission: 'We met Mr Alison on 16 June, and produced to him a copy of our statement. The state ment contained summary of the essential of prison reform which had emerged in our discussions We informed hir ha he prisoners con.....
accepted ... j... tatement apart from one major point: thai while the government was committed to the clothing reform, the 'specific details of the other reforms were mean! to be illustrative only'.
Commission was later to say that they did not think that this interpretation was a correct one previous government undertakings. theless, felt a settle ment was still likely.
All that was now needed was for the government to send in a civil servant to personally confirm was now promising. Alison promises to send in such an official by, pamphlet from Information on Ireland, 1 North End Rd, London W1. Price 40p plus 25p for p&p noon on 7 July.
7 July No official is sent in by noon. The Commission threatens to hold a press conference it a cIvil servant sent immeonately Alison agrees to send such a person that No-one is sent in. cycllille July. Joe McDonnell dies. The government finally sends a civil servant to Long Kesh. But the text of the statement is radicaldifferent Lildi agreed by Alison on 6 July.
The Commission comment that the statement is Martin Hurson: how many more must die? not a 'serious attempt to end the Block crisis They say promises made to them have been Clawed back' by the gove been They add:
believe Mr Alison himself acted at all times in good faith'.
On this latter point it is assumed that Alison was at the moniel ruled. Humphrey Atkins understood to have been him working throughout There is only one other persus ordered the breaking Could have agreement. Her name is Margaret Thatcher.
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This graphic is taken from The H Blocks - An indictment of British prison policy in the North of Ireland, an excellent new