Kieran Doherty

For the Irish television writer and producer, see Kieran Doherty (writer).

Kieran Doherty
Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh
Paramilitary organisation	Provisional IRA
Born	16 October 1955 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died	2 August 1981
Strike began	22 May 1981
Days on strike	73

Kieran Doherty TD
Teachta Dála
In office 11 June 1981 – 2 August 1981
Constituency	Cavan–Monaghan
Personal details
Born	16 November 1955 Belfast City, Ireland
Died	2 August 1981
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Anti H-Block

Kieran (or Ciarán) Doherty TD (Irish: Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh ^[1] 16 October 1955 – 2 August 1981) was an Irish republican hunger striker, Teachta Dála and a volunteer in the Belfast Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Background

Doherty was the third son in a family of six born in Andersonstown, Belfast. He was educated at primary level at St. Theresa's Primary School and at secondary level at Glen Road Christian Brothers School (CBS). The Doherty brothers were known cyclists and sportsmen in the Andersontown area with Kieran winning an Antrim Gaelic football medal at minor level in 1971.^[2]

Doherty joined Fianna Éireann in 1971 and was interned by the British Government between February 1973 and November 1975.^{[citation needed]} Kieran's brothers Michael and Terence were interned between 1972 and 1974.^{[citation needed]}

Doherty worked as an apprentice heating engineer.^[3] His girlfriend was Geraldine, although they never became formally engaged they became very close towards the end of his life. Before his arrest she had not known that he was in the IRA.^[4]

Paramilitary activity

In August 1976, while out to set a bomb, the van he was in was chased by the police. During the chase Doherty managed to leave the van and hijack a car but was caught as he was escaping.^{[citation needed]} He was convicted and sentenced to 18 years for possession of firearms and explosives, with another four years for the hijack.^{[citation needed]}

Hunger strike

He died at the age of 25 in the 1981 Irish Hunger Strike in the Maze prison (known to republicans as Long Kesh). He lasted 73 days on hunger strike, the longest of the 1981 hunger strikers, and only one day short of Terence MacSwiney.

Election to Dáil Éireann

While on hunger strike he was elected as an Anti H-Block TD for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency at the 1981 general election held in the Republic of Ireland on the 11 June. Doherty was shortest serving Dáil deputy having served as TD for two months. The seats gained by Anti H Block candidates denied Charles Haughey from forming a government and the 22nd Dáil saw Fine Gael and Labour form a government with Garret FitzGerald as Taoiseach.

Styles from birth

• Kieran Doherty, (1955–1971)
• Fian. Kieran Doherty, (1971–1973)
• Vol. Kieran Doherty, (1973-11 June 1981)
• Vol. Kieran Doherty TD, (11 June 1981-2 August 1981)

Other information

Kieran Doherty memorial in Milltown Cemetery

He is commemorated on the Irish Martyrs Memorial at Waverley Cemetery in Sydney, Australia.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of imprisoned members of the Oireachtas

References

1. ^ "Ag bunadh Gaeltachta". An Phoblacht. 3 May 2007. http://www.anphoblacht.com/news/detail/18951. Retrieved 2007-10-29. 
2. ^ Tírghrá. National Commemoration Centre. 2002. p. 242. ISBN 0-9542946-0-2. 
3. ^ http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=22&MemberID=325&ConstID=25
4. ^ Beresford, David Ten Men Dead

Persondata
Name	Doherty, Kieran
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	16 October 1955
Place of birth	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Date of death	2 August 1981
Place of death