Easter Rising and War of Independence
He participated in the 1916 Easter Rising as a Captain of the 2nd Battalion under Commandant Thomas MacDonagh, which occupied the Jacob's biscuit factory on Bishop Street in Dublin, almost a mile to the south of the General Post Office. Following the Rising he was sentenced to death – this was later commuted to penal servitude for life.
In 1917 Hunter, along with Éamon de Valera and Thomas Ashe, was recognised by his fellow prisoners at Lewes prison as one of their Commanding Officers. On 28 May of that year, de Valera, Ashe and Hunter lead a prison hunger-strike demanding to be treated as Prisoners of War and not just regular criminals. This led the British authorities to remove the prisoners from Lewes to separate facilities. By 18 June 1917, all participants of the Easter Rising had been released.
In May 1918, Hunter was again arrested along with all other members of Sinn Féin during the "German Plot". While imprisoned at Gloucester Gaol, he contracted influenza. On 24 February 1919, he was moved to Gloucester City Infirmary for treatment and remained there until 6 March.
In the autumn of 1919, Hunter introduced Dan Breen to Liam Lynch (Irish republican), both of whom were on the run from the British authorities.
By March 1920, Hunter and his partner, Peadar Clancy, had established a drapery and tailoring business, "The Republican Outfitters", on Talbot Street in Dublin. Hunter was once again arrested, this time for his involvement in the theft of Lord Lieutenant French's documents. While incarcerated in Mountjoy Prison, Hunter and several others began a hunger-strike on 5 April, demanding to be treated as Prisoners of War. News of these hunger-strikes sparked general strikes called by the trade unions and large scale demonstrations in Dublin to show support for the hunger strikers. On 14 April 1920, all hunger striking prisoners were released, and Hunter was moved to Jervis Street Hospital. On 26 April, he was discharged as "improved". From this time until his death, his health continued to be in decline.
In October 1920, during a "wholesale raid" of the homes of Sinn Fein members, British troops attacked Hunter & Clancy's business, severely damaging the building. It was mistakenly reported at the time that Hunter was among the dead. The dead IRA officer was actually Seán Treacy.
Read more about this topic: Thomas Hunter (Irish Politician)
Famous quotes containing the words easter, rising, war and/or independence:
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You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.”
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Sullen, and sad, with all his rising train;
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Congenial horrors, hail!”
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