Rare Bobby Sands picture found

A NEVER before seen picture of hunger striker Bobby Sands at a rally along with republican Máire Drumm is to be included in a new book about the Sinn Féin  vice-president.

ON PARADE: Bobby Sands, front holding the flag, with Máire Drumm in front of the banner

Born in the village of Killeen, Co Armagh, the mother of five was gunned down in cold blood on October 1976 by cowardly gunmen dressed as doctors as she lay in her hospital bed in the Mater Hospital in North Belfast where she was recovering from a major operation. The attack was claimed by the Red Hand Commando, a cover name that was used by the UDA. An commemorative event took please in South Armagh, on what would have been her 100th birthday. A book about her life by former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams will also be launched.

Republican News Front Page at the time of her murder

It contains a previously unseen photograph taken at a Sinn Féin rally on August 8th 1976, two months before she was murdered at the age of 57. Well-known for her defiant speeches at rallies and in courtrooms, she was jailed twice and spent time in Armagh Prison.

The funeral of Máire Drumm along with her former comrades from Cuman na mBann

Gerry Adams said in the years since her death Máire Drumm “has become an iconic figure in Irish Republicanism”. “Her leadership qualities and her enormous courage led to her being elected as vice-president.” The commemoration started at McKevitt’s petrol station at 7.3opm and was followed by a wreath laying ceremony.

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Allison Morris for the original story 

Follow this link to find out more: https://stairnaheireann.net/2015/10/28/1976-maire-drumm-was-the-vice-president-of-sinn-fein-and-a-commander-in-cumann-na-mban-she-was-assassinated-by-loyalists-while-recovering-in-belfasts-mater-hospital/amp/

(2)-: http://Cumann na mBan https://g.co/kgs/Fg8UtG

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