The Bobby Sands Trust is saddened to learn of the death of our friend and comrade and fellow Trust member, Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane, who died in hospital earlier today (21 February). We offer our deepest condolences to Brendan’s wife Lene and their children, Thomas, Emma and Tina, and to the wider McFarlane family circle.
Bik was a remarkable person, a republican activist who dedicated his life to the cause of Irish freedom.
He will forever be remembered for the astonishing fortitude he displayed as commanding officer of the prisoners during the blanket protest and the 1981 hunger strike when ten of his comrades died and he confronted the cruelty and intransigence of Margaret Thatcher.
For seven months, on his shoulders mainly, fell the heavy burden of managing the entire prison protest and countering attempts to undermine his comrades’ just demand for political status – which was later conceded and reintroduced. Later, again, the political status of the prisoners was recognised with their early release under the Good Friday Agreement.
Bik’s resolve – born out of years of suffering, the beatings, the deprivations and humiliations – was astonishing.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
– Danny Morrison, Secretary Bobby Sands Trust
