Bobby Sands | Hunger Striker | Merlyn Rees interview | 1980s Northern Ireland | TV Eye | 1981

[@stevealdridge6911]

I remember these days well but for those who don't it's worth noting how interviews were conducted back then. Simple sets, absence of gimmicks. Presenter asks a question then keeps quiet while the politician answers. No histrionics or synthetic rage and certainly no attempt to pretend that he was in a better position to answer. Political debate in those days was far more informative than the dross we have now.

[@TheJoshuamooney]

Excellent point, well said.

[@DBIVUK]

Interesting that it was Rees giving this interview. He was Shadow Energy Secretary at the time (Don Concannon was formally Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary).

[@davelowe1977]

Really appreciate these old clips and quality interviews. Good aspect ratio too😁

[@Dub_Northside]

I really respect the history between Ireland and Britain. We're talking centuries. Life didn't begin with a Television. Perhaps one might know that the Ulster Plantation that was led by Oliver Cromwell was unjustified and wrong.

[@JasonNolan-nz8hq]

Peace prosses started wi bobby in H blocks & other bhoys

[@northred4930]

Oh how wrong they were this was the beginning of the end of Britain in Ireland we have a bit to go but Ireland will be United. God bless those lads . Our Revenge will be the Laughter of our Children.

[@MarkG-f7v]

They spoke about Bobby for 5 minutes , They did'nt care then and they don't care now...!! RIP Oglach Bobby Sands and the rest of the hunger strikers...!!

[@dinomader2211]

Indeed!!!!

[@sentimentaloldme]

A great interview and even though I dont agree with Reeves he gave a great interview...At the back of his head Im sure he was saying...here I am again trying to explain to a British audience why the six counties of Ireland is ungovernable.

[@McGrogansSchool]

The British left Southern Ireland after the War of independence for the most part. That was amazing. We negotiated a truce. Republic was official in 1948 so we are still a young country, in a democratic sense. Now we want a United Ireland. Hope to see that one day.

[@pendorran]

A serious man, Merlyn Rees.

[@BanjoLuke1]

Fascinating to see and hear this on 2023. The notion of an Ireland governed in its entirety from Dublin is now quite a realistic aspiration, not to mention the civilised option. This was a very balanced interview where Mr Rees was given the opportunity to say what he wanted to say. Fascinating flashback into a troubled time.

[@John-rj7yr]

Fantastic interview

[@noka79]

A United Ireland is coming in the next 20 years🇮🇪💯❤

[@wolfblitzer1981]

😂😂😂 like Mcguinness you will never see it 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@raymondhaskin9449]

It’s always 20 or so years away haha

[@1Jameskelly]

​@@wolfblitzer1981 3 butchers aprons 🤔

[@sentimentaloldme]

It's ironic that the largest party in Ireland north and south are now Sinn Fein. The six counties still remains a failed political entity and as night follows day will remain so till our country is reunited..The greatest sin perpetrated on the people of our island of Ireland was drawing a line on a map on a sectarian headcount. Alas that has now also failed as can be seen from the recent election in the six counties.

[@kristinaking4680]

@@wolfblitzer1981 the united kingdom must return captured northern ireland to the republic of ireland.

[@noka79]

Love the history in these clips, please give us more of the troubles

[@abdulmajid6444]

Love you merlyn reece. Best Northern Ireland and home secretary ever. I had pleasure of meeting him in person at London houses of Parliament in 1979.

[@winterishere9828]

rees

[@kristinaking4680]

Great Britain will have to give back what it has taken from Ireland.

[@homeworld1765]

Read a history book numbnuts, Northern Ireland voted to stay in 1922!

[@dinomader2211]

Indeed!!

[@michaelahern6821]

Pity about the numerous adds ...

[@hanric2000]

4:35 funny that he gets Protestant and catholic mixed up. He has chosen side and yet he probably don’t really see eye to eye with their quest and religious racism

[@conordorrian1652]

Getting the Protestant / Catholic mix-up should have been so telling for everyone especially the " Belfast is a thousand miles away".. Surely this tells everyone just how much britian and its governments care .. Going back in history it's been seen British Conservatives have kept Unionism and its politicians dandling on a string just to be utilised in times when they require their votes.....

[@johntracy1369]

How many did the British kill ..now much has changed since then nationalist holding their heads up high .......north men South men comrades all

[@Vagabond7J]

The British government murdered Bobby Sands. He was only asking to be treated like a human being. Detention after trial? What was Bobby Sands found guilty of? Being in a car with a revolver. A poet, a writer, originally just an apprentice forced out of his job by violence (where were the police when the Loyalists were violent?). Later his family forced out of their homes by violence. It's sickening then and it's sickening now. The peace holds for the love of the Republicans for their children and grandchildren but where is the justice? It's the north of Ireland. The population is changing. Bobby Sands and the others martyred themselves for justice, for freedom. How many innocents have the British killed all over the world in the name of empire?

[@kevinjackson292]

British foreign policy in Ireland has proved to have been a failure.

[@pendorran]

Northern Ireland is not foreign.

[@kevinjackson292]

@@pendorran I think you need a history and geography lesson. Britain has no moral right to be in Ireland of which Northern Ireland is part of. Ireland is England's oldest colony.

[@wolfblitzer1981]

Use are still living under the king and the matter what Mary poo tells use always will 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@kevinjackson292]

@@wolfblitzer1981 It is well known in England that occupation and partition have been proved as a serious error of judgement and that it is expected that Ireland will reunify by the end of this decade.

[@raymondhaskin9449]

Mate, you look very stupid with that comment - It’s not foreign policy - because NI is part of the country. Foreign policy is for foreign states.

[@michaelmacleod4713]

🇬🇧✌🏻🇬🇧✌🏻🇬🇧✌🏻

[@hasspass8751]

The only reason ik this guy is because he's my history teachers grandpa lmaao

[@MrQuinn4]

💩🤯

[@kamandi1362]

Schoolyard joke from the time: What’s Bobby Sands’ phone number? Ate nothing, ate nothing, ate nothing.

[@1Jameskelly]

Must Ave been a school in England... They don't teach history over there😂 just what they want them to believe 😅😅😅

[@MarkG-f7v]

Fkn come to South Armagh or Derry and tell your Joke and see where it get's ye...!!

[@Aindriuh]

@@MarkG-f7v Don't rise to the bait. Ignoring the troll is better.

[@MarkG-f7v]

@@Aindriuh Aye , your right...!! #TAL32

[@a81758]

Nothing funny about it