“Issam might be toast so let’s hunger strike in solidarity with him.”
“Did you say toast?”
Further allegations have emerged that dissident republicans on hunger strike in Maghaberry have been eating during their protest.
The hunger strike was initiated 10 days ago in support of Palestinian doctor Dr Issam Bassalat (62), who has been charged over alleged links to the New IRA.
It has been claimed that the inmates have been refusing meals provided by the prison but have been making use of a communal tuck shop and making their own food. The Irish Republican Prisoners’ Welfare Association (IRPWA) angrily denied that the inmates had been using a tuck shop earlier this week.
The prisoners have demanded that Dr Bassalat, who is also on hunger strike, be moved to Roe House.
Dr Bassalat was placed in Foyle House for a fortnight on his return from hospital due to Covid restrictions.
Republican prisoners in Hydebank and on the E3/E4 landings in Portlaoise Prison have also engaged in “a solidarity hunger strike alongside him” for two weeks.
However, a Maghaberry insider has told the Belfast Telegraph that the prisoners “aren’t on hunger strike at all”.
“It’s all talk,” said the source. “They’re refusing meals provided by the prison but they’re using their communal tuck shop that’s been built up plus making sandwiches, toast etc.”
Sounds to me like the Marwan Barghouti hunger strike.
