Francis Hughes was the second IRA republican to join the H-Block hungerstrike for political status – two weeks after Bobby Sands – he was 25 years old
Family
Francis Hughes, the youngest son of 10 children, was born on 28th February 1956, in the farming community of Tamlaghtduff (Bellaghy, So Derry). He was cousin to Benedict and Thomas McElwee — both of whom also served time in the H-Blocks; Thomas also died in the 1981 hungerstrike on 8th August.
He had a typical childhood and was extremely popular amongst his school mates; his vitality and enthusiasm, and love of practical jokes, would later carry over to his involvement in the republican movement. He left school at age 16 to work as an apprentice painter and decorator.
Involvement
From a very early age, Francie witnessed firsthand the brutality and injustices of the occupied forces. One particularly traumatic event, and one which was to stay with him through adulthood, was when at age 15 he witnessed his brother Oliver being beaten and hauled away to an internment camp. Only two years later, Francis was to experience a similar fate — he was severely beaten by the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) on his way home from a dance.
Francis had already become involved in the republican movement by the time he was age 16. First, he joined the Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA) — which had substantial membership in Derry. Then, when OIRA went on ceasefire, he and several others in Derry set up a military unit which they called ‘the Independents’. A few years later, the entire unit integrated with the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA).
Francis was often stopped and harassed by the British army and RUC; and he was regularly held without charge in Magherafelt barracks and at Ballykelly camp. He soon, however, became quite adept at eluding the enemy and his fearlessness and stamina became legendary.
Legend
Eluding for several years the relentless efforts of the British army, UDR and RUC to track him down, Francis operated boldly throughout parts of Tyrone and north and south Antrim, but particularly in his native South Derry, where he organised and launched a successful series of military operations before his capture. It is believed that somewhere between 20-30 British soldiers and police officers died at his hand.
Those who knew Francie thought him a natural-born soldier and leader. He had a reputation of being a strict disciplinarian and perfectionist with a combination of brilliant organisational skills and extreme daring. He was a purist in that he took his commitment as an Irish soldier very seriously. He nearly always wore a black beret, army trousers and a combat jacket, and had his rifle in tow; there are many tales of him chatting British soldiers or making his way through roadblocks in full uniform.
By 1975 Francis was forced to permanently go on the run — moving by day on foot and sleeping in safehouses at night. The Hughes’ home and the homes of those suspected of harbouring him were continuously staked out and raided in hopes of capturing Francis.
Ambush
On 8th April 1977, the RUC flagged down three IRA Volunteers on the Moneymore Road at Dunronan, in Co Derry. In the car were Francis Hughes and two other Volunteers — Dominic McGlinchey and Ian Milne. In an attempt to escape, their car became lodged in a ditch. They opened fire killing two RUC men and injuring another, and then made a second, this time successful, attempt to get the car out of the ditch and escape.
A wanted poster of the three began to appear all over Co Derry. And, the RUC pegged Francis Hughes, the “Most Wanted Man in the North”. McGlinchey and Milne were captured shortly thereafter. Nearly a year went by before Francie was apprehended.
Stake-Out
On 16th March 1978, two men in military uniform and carrying rifles were spotted by two SAS soldiers who had established a stake-out near a farm on Ronaghan road, Ballyknock. The SAS mistook the pair as UDR soldiers, and let them pass. Within in minutes, Francis Hughes and a fellow Volunteer opened fire on the SAS men. One of them died.
British patrols sealed off the area and implemented a massive search operation. A day went by before Francis Hughes was found severely wounded (his left thigh had been shattered) in a field. Although he had lost a lot of blood and was in severe pain, the security forces took the time to pose him for a photograph before they loaded him on a stretcher. As the stretcher was being carried away, Francie Hughes boldly yelled, “Up the Provos”. Hughes’ comrade had managed to escape.
Francie had given his name as Eámonn Laverty, and it was only when he reached the Musgrave Park military hospital in Belfast, that authorities realised they had captured Francis Hughes. His first words to his brother Oliver who had visited him, were “How many did I get?” And he was disappointed to find that it was one, not two!
He spent 10 months in hospital before being taken to the Castlereagh interrogation centre, and underwent two operation on his leg which reduced his thigh bone by an inch-and-a-half, and left him permanently dependent on a crutch to walk. He refused general anesthetic for the operations, fearing he might “talk” whilst unconscious.
Francis received a life sentence for killing the SAS soldier, and 14 years for attempting to kill the other SAS man. He also received 55 years on three other charges.
H-Block
In the H-Blocks, Francie immediately went on the protest for political status. He was at first known to his comrades as ‘Bootsie’ because of the built-up Doc Marten boot he wore to even out the length of his legs.
But ‘Pixie’ Hughes became the nickname that stuck! He used to remove his Doc Marten and place it against the wall every night before retiring to sleep on his piece of sponge that served as a bed. One morning he awoke, and went to put on his shoe and noticed a lump of excreta inside, and asked his cellmate, who was Raymond McCreesh, “did ye do this?” — thinking Raymond had played a practical joke on him. “No,” said Raymond, “It must have fell off the wall, or maybe the Pixies done it”.
At Mass that Sunday, lots of giggles were heard as this story was related, and everyone made sure they called Francis, “Pixie”, and this would bring a beaming smile from him, being a great practical joker himself.
Ex Blanketman, Tony O Hara, remembers how the ‘Legend of Francis Hughes’ preceded him before he came ‘on The Blanket’.
“Right at the start of the no-wash, no-slopout protest (escalating the overall protest), my cellmate Frankie Doherty from Derry had taken ill and was rushed out to Musgrave Park military hospital. Whilst there, he met Francis, who spoiled him with fruit, chocolate and tobacco, etc. Although, the Blanketmen were off limits to the other POWs there, it seemed that Francis was allowed to hobble wherever he pleased, with aid of a walking stick, and the oderlies and screws were afraid to challenge him!
“When my cellmate returned, he entertained the whole wing with these tales, and the South Derrymen provided more to build up a picture so vivid that when he did come onto the Blanket, (Our block, H-5) everyone felt they knew him! The first Sunday at Mass where our wing and Francis's wing joined together in the canteen that served as our chapel for 40 minutes, he had everyone shaking his hand and patting him on the back. And, his walking stick was taken from him as they feared he would use it as a weapon.”
Francis volunteered for the 27th October 1980 hungerstrike, but was not selected. He was, however, one of the 30 men who subsequently joined the hungerstrike during its last phase when Sean McKenna's condition began to rapidly deteriorate.
Francis volunteered again for the 1981 hungerstrike and was chosen. He wrote the following letter.
To the People of South Derry and surrounding districts.
A Chairde,
By the time this letter is read by you I shall have joined my Comrade Bobby Sands already on Hungerstrike. I need not go into any great detail in explaining to you the reasons for this present Hungerstrike, as you have all followed events closely and seen openly for yourselves the end results of the dishonourable fashion and deceitful way in which the British government abandoned her commitments and assurances after December the 18th. These commitments and assurances were not won lightly, but were the result of 53 torturous days of pain and suffering to obtain them. They were not won lightly and will not be given up lightly either.
You must realise the importance of what is happening here. This prolonged protest has become more than a minor prison issue for the British government. Its very roots lie in the 11 years of struggle waged around you and its outcome will have great bearing on whether the Brits stay or go. For this sole reason and no other we have been confronted and opposed at every turn in our attempts to find an acceptable solution which would end the 4 and a half years of conflict.
The British government know that any solution other than an outright victory would be a defeat for them. it was in this frame of mind that they masterminded events leading into the new year, and when they foolishly thought they had won the day through their treachery they asked us for a white flag. Our actions alone answers their hypocritical request and as before the message is loud and clear. their is no white flag and there shall be no surrender.
I know many of you personally and I know too that if you were in our position you would not compromise your principles, but you too would fight; and it is in this knowledge that we embark upon this great trial, in full confidence of victory. there is one demand and this lies in our interpretation of what we believe constitutes political status. This demand was met on Dec 18th, 1980. it was met after you marched and tramped for eight weeks in a relentless campaign which finally broke the British. They know we broke them and we know we can break them again. what you must do is close ranks and remain steadfast in your determination.
As you march and rally , refuse to be intimidated by the harassment of the much hatred RUC and those who cower beside them. your suffering and hardship are well known to us. We salute you for your courage, and perseverance you have shown in the face of everything. you serve as a great example to us all, and in the coming weeks we shall draw much strength and encouragement as we remember you in our prayers and hold you in our thoughts.
I have no prouder boast to say I am Irish and have been privileged to fight for the Irish people and for Ireland. If I have a duty I will perform it to the full with the unshakable belief that we are a noble race and that chains and bounds have no part in us.
Slán, Francis Hughes Republican POW, Long Kesh 10th March 1981.
Francie was a soldier till the end. Tony will never forget how on the ninth day of Francis’ hunger strike, the screws came to take him from his Blanket cell to the prison hospital. He struggled until overpowered and had to be strapped to a stretcher. He was carried up and out by six screws, singing rebel songs at the top of his voice.
Once in hospital, Francis became worried about a rifle he had hidden in So Derry because “it would be a waste if it wasn’t found”. He made several attempts to describe its whereabouts, and finally in frustration drew a map for the lads!
Tony recalls, “On the day he died, I got the first visit with my brother, who had seen him a few hours before he fell into a coma. Patsy told me, ‘we were talking and bantering as usual, and Frank’s voice had almost lowered to a whisper, and it was becoming an effort for him to speak. The screw opened the door and told me to get back to my cell! Francis motioned me closer to him and whispered, Comrade, he who dies for Ireland lives’! Patsy was moved by this, I was moved!”
Francis also never lost his selflessness and courage. His last words were to his brother and sister — Dolores and Meagher. Before slipping into unconsciousness, he said to them, “Take care of mammy and daddy”.
Francis Hughes died on Tuesday, 12th May 1981, at 5.43pm after 59 days on hungerstrike.
