Ancient Order of Hibernians - Division #32: Former Irish Republican POWs Visit Pittsburgh

AOH 32 proudly announces a memorable event you'll want to attend, From Long Kesh to the Good Friday Agreement. This speaking engagement features Terry Kirby and Bobby Lavery, two former Irish Republican Prisoners of War.

Join event sponsor, The Irish American Unity Conference in welcoming Kirby and Lavery as they share their experiences during the Hunger Strikes at Long Kesh as well as their views of the Good Friday Agreement and the Peace Process today.

When: Sunday, February 25, 2007 - 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle
2329 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA
(The kitchen will be open for your dining enjoyment)

Terry Kirby was interned at age 17 in Belfast’s Long Kesh prison. In the early years of his internment, he was a Special Category prisoner. On March 1, 1976, the British government eliminated that status and Terry became a “blanketman.”

He was present in 1981 as ten comrades died on a hunger strike. In September 1983, after years in the “escape-proof” Maze prison, Terry and 37 other republican prisoners escaped from the Maze prison, the largest prison break in British penal history. In 1994 Terry was arrested in California with three other escapees; they became known as the H-Block 4. Terry spent six years in prisons in California fighting extradition and was released in 2000 by the 9^th Circuit Federal Court.

Bobby Lavery was interned for three years in Long Kesh prison. He was one of the first former POW’s who transitioned to politics. In 1985 Bobby was the first Sinn Fein member elected to a Legislative body in North Belfast and was re-elected for two more terms between 1993 and 2000. Serving as councilor, Bobby accomplished a number of firsts including becoming the first member of Sinn Fein to serve as the chair and deputy chair of a Council committee in Belfast. Tragically, Bobby’s son, Sean was murdered in 1993 when loyalist paramilitaries sprayed the family home with gunfire. Eight months earlier, Bobby’s brother, Martin was killed by loyalist paramilitaries in his home. Bobby sustained numerous attacks at the community center where he worked, on his home and has received a number of death threats. Bobby currently resides in the U.S.