Injured man is ex hunger striker
It's emerged that the man found unconscious in Derry city centre more than a week ago is a former IRA hunger-striker, 57 year-old Hugh Feeney.
He was still seriously ill in Altnagelvin Hospital on Friday evening. The hospital was unable to give an update on his condition yesterday afternoon.
Mr Feeney, who went on hunger strike and 'the blanket' in 1974, was discovered with serious head injuries close to his apartment in Derry's Craft Village in the early hours of Thursday week last.
Police have said that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain a mystery and they were 'keeping their options open'.
Sinn Fin MLA Martina Anderson has backed a police appeal for information.
"The circumstances around how exactly Hugh received his injuries are as yet unclear but the area in which he was found is usually relatively busy at that time on most nights. Therefore I would appeal to anyone with any information or who may have seen Hugh out socialising on Wednesday night last to come forward so that a picture of his movements prior to the incident may be established.
" Hugh remains in serious condition in hospital and the thoughts and prayers of the republican family are with Hugh and his loved ones at this traumatic time. I wish to extend my best wishes to Hugh's partner and wider family circle and wish Hugh a speedy and full recovery."
On November 15, 1973, the Belfast-born republican, together with eight other Provisional IRA members - including Marion and Dolores Price and Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly - was sentenced to life imprisonment for causing explosions at the Old Bailey and Scotland Yard in March, 1973 in which 216 people were injured.
Mr Feeney and Mr Kelly were imprisoned in Winchester Gaol where they refused to wear prison clothes and went 'on the blanket'. They immediately commenced a hunger-strike for political status and their transfer to prison in Northern Ireland.
In January, 1974 they also went on thirst strike and were force-fed for almost a year. In November, 1976 Mr Feeney was transferred to Long Kesh and was released in 1986.
Police are keen to establish what happened and have urged anyone who was in Magazine Street from 11pm onwards on Wednesday, July 1, to contact them on 0845 600 8000 or anonymously through the 'Crimestoppers' charity on 0800 555 111.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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