The ten republican hunger strikers were all convicted of terrorist offences. The following is a prΘcis of their records:
Bobby Sands: Member of the Provisional IRA. One of four people sentenced to 14 years each in September 1977 for possession of a revolver after bomb and gun attack.
Francis Hughes: Member of the Provisional IRA. Serving life imprisonment and concurrent sentences of 83 years for the murder of a soldier and the attempted murder of another.
Patsy O'Hara: Member of the Irish National Liberation Army. Sentenced to eight years in January 1980 for possession of a hand grenade.
Raymond McCreesh: Member of the Provisional IRA. Sentenced in March 1977 for 14 years, and lesser sentences, for attempted murder and possession of a rifle and ammunition.
Joe McDonnell: Member of the Provisional IRA. Sentenced to 14 years in September 1977 for the same reasons as Bobby Sands.
Kevin Lynch: Member of the Irish National Liberation Army. Sentenced to 10 years in December 1977 for a number of offences including conspiracy to disarm members of the security forces, taking part in a so-called punishment shooting, and the taking of legally held shotguns.
Martin Hurson: Member of the Provisional IRA. Convicted in November 1977. Given 20 years for possession of landmines and conspiracy, as well as two other concurrent sentences of 15 and five years respectively.
Thomas McElwee: Member of the Provisional IRA. Sentenced to 20 years in September 1977 for manslaughter and possession of explosives.
Mickey Devine: Member of the Irish National Liberation Army. Sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in June 1977 for possession of rifles and ammunition.
Kieran Doherty: Member of the Provisional IRA. Sentenced to 18 years in January 1978 for possession of firearms and explosives and four years for commandeering a car.