The Resume

(March 9, 1954-May 5, 1981)
Born in Abbots Cross, Newtownabbey, United Kingdom
Born to a Catholic family in Northern Ireland
Became a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in 1972 at age 18
While imprisoned at Long Kesh organized the 1981 Irish hunger strike
His strike began March 1, 1981 and lasted 66 days until his death at age 27
Nine other prisoners died before the strike was called off October 3, 1981
During the strike elected Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP (Member of Parliament)
Rage Against the Machine lists him as an inspiration on their 1992 self titled debut album
Director Steve McQueen won Cannes prestigious Caméra d'Or award for first-time filmmakers for the 2008 film 'Hunger' detailing the last six weeks of his life

Why he might be annoying:

The IRA uses violent methods that have killed innocent people.
His involvement caused stress on his wife and she miscarried their second child.
After this she divorced him and took their child to live in England.
He was convicted of firearms possession and sentenced to 14 years (September 1977).
Margaret Thatcher and British Parliament refused to give in to the five demands of the prisoners so he died for naught.
Sympathy for the IRA cause escalated after his death and recruitment increased.

Why he might not be annoying:

Protestant loyalists forced the Sands family to move under threat of death.
He as well as other Long Kesh prisoners were at times beaten.
He decided that a non-violent hunger strike would do more to draw attention to his cause.
He was elected MP (Member of Parliament) while imprisoned but served only 25 days and never took oath.
Though nine others died following his lead, 13 more that took part in the strike were saved either by family intervention or because the strike was called off.
He died believing no part of Ireland should be under British rule.
Many countries paid tribute to him and over 100,000 people attended his funeral.
The New York Times wrote that the British Government's response to the hunger strike appeared 'unfeeling and unresponsive' and gave him 'the crown of martyrdom.'

Credit: Scar Tactics

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [March] (Ranked: 3091954)
• Criminals
• I Died Before My 30th Birthday (Ranked: 27)
• I Died in 1981 (Ranked: 27)
• I Lost a Lot of Weight
• I Married for Less than Two Years
• I Married in 1972
• I Married Young
• I Went on a Hunger Strike
• I'm Remembered in a Tribute Song
• Jesus Hair
• Joker Faces/Huge Grins
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Luscious Laddies
• Profiles 25001-25250 (Ranked: 25135)
• Scar Tactics' Profiles [Series 07]
• Scarecrows [Tall Thin People]
• Young Dads [I Had a Child Before Turning 21]

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 16 Votes: 56.25% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 18 Votes: 11.11% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 23 Votes: 47.83% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 28 Votes: 46.43% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 158 Votes: 64.56% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 21 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 53 Votes: 67.92% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 130 Votes: 68.46% Annoying