Background: The Troubles and a Path to Radicalization
The grey London sky seemed to amplify the tension as Dolours Price, Marian Price, and a team of Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers parked near the Old Bailey on a spring day in nineteen seventy-three. Their actions that day would irrevocably alter their lives and contribute to the ongoing turmoil of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The Price sisters, driven by a fervent commitment to Irish republicanism, became symbols of resistance for some, and figures of condemnation for others. This article delves into their involvement with the IRA, the consequences of their actions, and the complex and enduring legacy they left behind, a legacy defined by both admiration and deep controversy.
To understand the Price sisters and their trajectory, one must first understand the historical landscape of Northern Ireland in the late twentieth century. The Troubles, a period of intense ethno-nationalist conflict, were rooted in a complex history of political, religious, and social divisions. On one side were the unionists/loyalists, predominantly Protestant, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. On the other side were the nationalists/republicans, predominantly Catholic, who sought a united Ireland, free from British rule. Decades of discrimination, political disenfranchisement, and sectarian violence created a breeding ground for paramilitary organizations like the Provisional IRA, which emerged in the late nineteen sixties with the stated aim of achieving a united Ireland through armed struggle.
The Price family’s background was steeped in Irish republicanism. Their father, Albert Price, was a committed republican with his own history of involvement in Irish nationalist movements. This upbringing exposed Dolours, Marian, and Rose to the narratives of Irish resistance, historical grievances, and the perceived injustices of British rule. Growing up in Derry, a city deeply affected by the conflict, the sisters witnessed firsthand the discrimination and violence faced by the Catholic/nationalist community. This early exposure, coupled with their family’s ideological leanings, contributed to their growing radicalization. The political climate, marked by escalating violence and a sense of injustice, made radical groups like the IRA seem like the only viable option for achieving their political goals. They believed they were fighting for freedom and self-determination, a conviction that would shape their lives and actions.
Active Participation Within the IRA
The Price sisters’ involvement in the IRA escalated from supporting roles to active participation in paramilitary operations. Initially, they engaged in activities such as intelligence gathering, transporting materials, and providing safe houses for IRA volunteers. These initial acts demonstrated their commitment and willingness to take risks for the cause. However, it was their role in the nineteen seventy-three Old Bailey bombing in London that catapulted them into the public eye and cemented their place in the history of the Troubles.
The Old Bailey bombing was a meticulously planned operation intended to strike at the heart of the British legal system. Dolours and Marian, along with other members of an IRA unit, planted car bombs outside the Old Bailey and other locations in London. The explosions resulted in one death and numerous injuries, causing widespread panic and outrage. The bombing marked a significant escalation in the IRA’s campaign and brought the conflict directly to the streets of London. The immediate aftermath saw the Price sisters and their accomplices apprehended by authorities. Their arrest and subsequent trial drew intense media attention, both in Britain and Ireland. They were charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and murder, among other offenses. The trial became a platform for the sisters to articulate their political beliefs and justify their actions. They presented themselves as freedom fighters, arguing that violence was a necessary response to British oppression in Northern Ireland. Despite their impassioned defense, they were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Imprisonment and Acts of Protest
Imprisonment became a new battleground for the Price sisters. Refusing to accept their status as common criminals, they demanded to be recognized as political prisoners, a designation that would grant them certain privileges and acknowledge the political nature of their actions. To press their demands, Dolours and Marian embarked on a hunger strike in prison. This drastic measure drew widespread attention to their case and put immense pressure on the British government. The hunger strike was a grueling ordeal, taking a severe toll on their physical and mental health. They endured weeks of starvation, becoming increasingly frail and vulnerable. The government’s response was firm: they refused to grant political status and resorted to forced feeding in an attempt to keep the sisters alive. Forced feeding was a brutal and controversial practice, widely condemned as a violation of human rights. The sisters were subjected to painful procedures against their will, causing them immense suffering. Public opinion was divided, with some supporting the government’s stance and others condemning the forced feeding as inhumane. The hunger strike eventually ended after over two hundred days, but the experience left lasting scars on the Price sisters.
The long-term effects of imprisonment were profound. Their physical and mental health suffered greatly, and they struggled to readjust to life outside prison after their release. The experience also shaped their political views, reinforcing their commitment to Irish republicanism, while simultaneously making them question the efficacy of armed struggle.
Life After Release and Reflections
After their release from prison in the mid-nineteen seventies, the Price sisters attempted to rebuild their lives. While Rose largely receded from public life, Dolours and Marian remained involved in republican circles, albeit in different capacities. Marian continued to be a vocal advocate for republican causes, becoming involved in community activism and working to support former prisoners. Dolours, on the other hand, struggled with the psychological trauma of her experiences in the IRA and in prison. She became increasingly disillusioned with the republican movement and began to question the violence she had once embraced.
In later years, Dolours Price gave several interviews in which she reflected on her past actions and expressed regret for the suffering caused by the IRA’s campaign. Her willingness to speak out against the violence and question the methods of the republican movement made her a controversial figure within republican circles, but also earned her some respect from those who had been affected by the conflict.
Legacy and Historical Significance
The Price sisters’ legacy is complex and contested. For some, they remain symbols of Irish republican resistance, women who were willing to sacrifice everything for their beliefs. They are remembered as courageous and unwavering in their commitment to a united Ireland. Murals and memorials in republican areas of Northern Ireland commemorate their role in the Troubles, solidifying their place in republican lore.
However, their actions are also viewed with condemnation by many, particularly those who were victims of IRA violence. They are seen as terrorists responsible for causing death and suffering. Their involvement in the Old Bailey bombing, in particular, is remembered as a brutal act that brought the conflict to the heart of London. Critiques of the Price sisters often focus on the human cost of their actions and the broader impact of the IRA’s campaign on Northern Ireland society. The violence perpetrated by the IRA, including bombings and assassinations, caused immense suffering and perpetuated a cycle of hatred and division.
The Price sisters have been portrayed in literature, film, and other forms of media, often as complex and contradictory figures. These representations have helped to shape public perception of their role in the Troubles. Some portrayals emphasize their idealism and commitment to Irish republicanism, while others focus on the psychological toll of violence and the moral ambiguities of armed struggle. These cultural representations continue to fuel debate and discussion about their legacy.
Conclusion: A Complex Narrative
The story of the Price sisters is a microcosm of the broader conflict in Northern Ireland, a conflict characterized by deep-seated divisions, political violence, and enduring trauma. Their actions, driven by deep convictions, had far-reaching consequences, contributing to the cycle of violence and leaving an enduring mark on the history of the Troubles. Their legacy remains a subject of intense debate, a testament to the enduring power of the conflict and the difficulty of reconciling with the past. The Price sisters’ story serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political violence and the complexities of historical memory. It compels us to reflect on the nature of conflict, the motivations of those who engage in it, and the long-lasting consequences of their actions. Their story is not one of simple heroism or villainy, but a complex and nuanced narrative that challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truths of the past and to strive for a more peaceful and just future.
The echo of their choices continue to reverberate in discussions about justice, reconciliation, and the long shadow cast by the Troubles.
