Former senior IRA figure Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane dies after short illness
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald paid tribute to Mr McFarlane as "a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland"
A former senior IRA figure who oversaw the hunger strikes inside the Maze Prison has died.
Brendan 'Bik' McFarlane, known for taking part in the biggest escape in UK prison history, died after a "short illness" on Friday.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald paid tribute to Mr McFarlane as "a great patriot who lived his life for the freedom and unity of Ireland."
Speaking this evening, Ms McDonald said: "Bik was dedicated to the struggle for the freedom and unity of Ireland, and the equality of its people.
"Bik was, and will always remain, a giant of Irish republicanism. A proud son of Ardoyne in Belfast, he was part of a generation who rose up against oppression, the British occupation and the sectarian Orange state."
Mr McFarlane was sent to Maze Prison after being convicted of a deadly bomb attack on a pub in the Protestant Shankill Road area in 1975.
He was the officer in command of the H-Block prisoners during the 1981 hunger strike over conditions in the Maze.
Ms McDonald described Mr McFarlane as "a formidable, thoughtful leader".
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking during a press conference at the Alex Hotel in Dublin. The Sinn Fein leader has said she will not attend an event at the White House around St Patrick's Day (Image: PA)"That leadership was never more needed than in the brutality of the H-Blocks, and especially during the extremely difficult days of the 1981 Hunger Strikes. Bik always carried the memories of his 10 brave comrades who laid down their lives with him."
He was among 38 IRA inmates who fled the Maze in Co Antrim in September 1983. They used smuggled guns and knives to overpower prison staff before hijacking a food lorry and driving to the main gate.
He was later recaptured with fellow escapee Gerry Kelly in The Netherlands.
Mr Kelly said Mr McFarlane was a "Republican activist all his life" who "gave all that he had to the struggle for a united Ireland."
In a statement, he said: "My first thoughts are with his loving wife Lene and their children, Thomas, Emma and Tina."
He added: “He was a huge figure within Republicanism and particularly at the time of the hunger strike in 1981 when 10 of our comrades lost their lives in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh.
"Bik was a talented singer, songwriter and musician, and previously sang at many events and occasions including at previous Ard Fheis.
"He will be sadly missed by the many, many people who knew, respected and loved him."
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