Audio interview with Thomas Hennessey, Professor of Modern British and Irish History at Canterbury Christ Church University, by Sean O’Rourke for Today with Sean O’Rourke on 28 November 2013. Three days earlier Hennessy had published a book entitled Hunger Strike: Margaret Thatcher’s battle with the IRA, 1980-1981. In this interview he discusses the British government’s negotiations with republicans during the 1980 and 1981 hunger-strikes. Today with Sean O’Rourke is RTE Radio 1’s daily current affairs programme.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 28 November 2013
Name of First Interviewee: Thomas Hennessey
Role at time of Interview: Professor of Modern British and Irish History at Canterbury Christ Church University
Interviewer: Sean O’Rourke
Purpose: News
Media: Audio
Copyright: © RTÉ 2013
Link: Listen to the interview
Programme/Book/Article: RTE Radio 1 Today with Sean O’Rourke
Time Period covered: 1980-2013
Key Individuals: Thomas Hennessey, Margaret Thatcher, Airey Neave, Ian Gow, Alec Reid, William Whitelaw, Merlyn Rees, Kevin Nugent, Brendan Hughes, Bobby Sands, Fr. John McGee, Humphry Atkins, Raymond McCreesh, Brendan Duddy, Michael Alison, Richard O’Rawe, Gerry Adams
Key Words: Brighton bombing, Maze prison, Long Kesh prison, hunger-strike, Special Category status, Portlaoise prison, publicity, Irish Commission for Justice and Peace