Colm Scullion Reflects on Bobby Sands’ Impact in New Book

A recently launched book titled Guthanna (Voices) sheds light on the personal narratives of 32 individuals profoundly affected by the 1981 hunger strike. Among those featured is Colm Scullion, a former cellmate of the iconic hunger striker Bobby Sands, who shared his experiences and reflections in an interview with the Sunday World.

Scullion first encountered Sands in 1976 while imprisoned at Crumlin Road jail, where they spent four years together. Their bond deepened during a stay at Belfast’s Mater Hospital, where both men were recovering from violent clashes with loyalist groups. Scullion, now 67 and residing in Bellaghy, detailed how he believes Sands has continued to watch over him even after his death.

In a poignant recounting, Scullion shared an experience where he dreamt of Sands, who appeared wrapped in a blanket, warning him to avoid work the following day. He credits this warning with potentially saving his life during a loyalist gun attack that occurred shortly thereafter. “He spoke to me in a dream – he told me not to go to work the next day because I would be in danger,” Scullion said. “That next day there was a loyalist gun attack and I probably would have been killed.”

The book compiles accounts from various individuals, including those known as “blanket men,” who endured harsh conditions while protesting in Maze Prison. The hunger strike, which ultimately led to the deaths of ten republican prisoners, has been a pivotal event in the history of the Troubles. Scullion reflected on the brutality faced by young prisoners during that period, saying, “We were the youngest prisoners and we were absolutely hammered. There was nothing more they could do to us, and they knew themselves it had to come to an end.”

Sands, who was also a prolific writer, spent much of his time in his cell creating poetry. Scullion recalled how Sands wrote a poem about Roddy McCorley, a figure significant to Irish history, which he dedicated to Scullion after learning about the connection between McCorley and Scullion’s family. Scullion still possesses the original copy of the poem, now held in the National Library of Ireland.

The reaction to Guthanna (Voices) has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Scullion. He emphasized the importance of humanizing the stories of those involved, stating, “Nobody knows what type of band they liked, if they watched Top of the Pops, did they drink Guinness or cider. That’s what makes the human being and those are the types of stories I tell.”

Book editor Danny Morrison explained that his role was to compile the stories shared through podcasts to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the hunger strikes. The project, initiated by the Belfast ’81 Commemoration Committee, aimed to present a diverse range of voices from that era. Morrison noted that the hunger strike remains a significant topic of discussion, stating, “Historians all agree the hunger strike was a major turning point in the conflict.”

Morrison also highlighted that the hunger strike revitalized the republican struggle, despite former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher characterizing it as the IRA’s last card. “Thatcher lost the battle,” he asserted, underlining the enduring impact of the events of 1981.

The book features the stories of all ten men who died during the hunger strike on its cover and is available for purchase online, reflecting a growing interest in the personal narratives that shaped this tumultuous period in Irish history.