50th Anniversary of the Ending of Special Category Status

On 1st March 1976, the British Government ended Special Category Status, decreeing that all political prisoners sentenced thereafter would be treated as criminals under a new prison regime. This policy sought to strip prisoners of political recognition by forcing them to wear prison uniforms, carry out prison labour, and submit to criminal status.

When sentenced on 14th September 1976, Kieran Nugent refused to wear the prison uniform, declaring: “If they want me to wear a uniform, they will have to nail it to my back.” His stand marked the beginning of the Blanket Protest and symbolised resistance to the British Government’s criminalisation policy outlined in the Gardiner Report.

Seán Murray, Sile Darragh and Kieran McEvoy will discuss its genesis and consequences 50 years on.

Free event. No booking required.

Organised by Féile an Phobail Debates and Discussions Committee

AN 50Ú BLIAIN CHOMÓRTHA DEN DEIREADH A CUIREADH LE STÁDAS CATAGÓRA SPEISIALTA COLÁISTE OLLSCOILE NAOMH MUIRE, BÓTHAR NA BHFÁL

Ar 1 Márta 1976, chuir Rialtas na Breataine deireadh le Stádas Catagóra Speisialta. D’fhógair sé go gcaithfí leis na cimí polaitiúla a ngearrfaí pianbhreith orthu mar choirpigh ina dhiaidh sin faoi réimeas príosúin nua. Bhí an polasaí ag iarraidh aitheantas polaitiúil a bhaint de na cimí agus ag cur iallaigh orthu éidí príosúin a chaitheamh, obair príosúin a dhéanamh agus géillghlacadh le stádas coiriúil.

Nuair a gearradh pianbhreith air ar 14 Meán Fómhair 1976, dhiúltaigh Kieran Nugent an éide príosúin a chaitheamh agus d’fhógair sé: “If they want me to wear a uniform, they will have to nail it to my back.” Chuir a sheasamh tús leis an Agóid Pluide agus bhí sé mar shiombail d’fhrithbheartaíocht in aghaidh polasaí coiriúlaithe Rialtas na Breataine ar tugadh achoimre air i dTuarascáil Gardiner.

Pléifidh Seán Murray, Sile Darragh agus Kieran McEvoy a bhunús agus a iarmhairtí sa chomóradh 50ú bliain seo.

Imeacht saor in aisce. Ní bheidh áirithint ar bith de dhíth.

Eagraithe ag Coiste Plé agus Díospóireachtaí Féile an Phobail