Marian Price – a name that resonates with the tumultuous history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Born into a staunchly republican family in Belfast in 1954, Price’s life became intrinsically linked with the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) from a young age. Her journey from civil rights activist to convicted bomber, hunger striker, and later a vocal opponent of the Good Friday Agreement, paints a complex portrait of a woman driven by deep-seated political convictions and enduring controversies. Understanding Marian Price means delving into the heart of a conflict that shaped generations and continues to echo in the present day.
Early Life and Radicalisation
Marian Price’s republican lineage was a significant factor in her early life. Her father, Albert Price, was a committed Irish republican and former IRA member, while her mother was part of Cumann na mBan, the women’s auxiliary of the IRA. This environment steeped in activism and political dissent undoubtedly influenced Marian and her sister Dolours. They participated in the pivotal Belfast to Derry civil rights march in January 1969, an event that culminated in the infamous Burntollet Bridge ambush. The violence unleashed on peaceful protestors at Burntollet, often with the perceived complicity of the police, proved to be a radicalising experience for many young Catholics, including the Price sisters. This moment, more than any other, appears to have cemented their conviction that peaceful means alone would not achieve their political objectives.
In 1971, both Marian and Dolours joined the newly formed Provisional IRA. This was a significant step, as women had traditionally been relegated to auxiliary roles within the republican movement. The Price sisters, however, sought full membership, demonstrating a fierce determination to be active participants in the armed struggle. They quickly became integral members, initially acting as couriers before taking on more direct roles in operations.
The London Bombings and Hunger Strike
Marian Price became widely known for her involvement in the IRA’s 1973 London bombing campaign. Alongside her sister Dolours and other IRA members, she was part of a unit that placed four car bombs in London on 8 March 1973. The targets included the Old Bailey and a Whitehall army recruitment centre. These attacks caused widespread injury, with around 200 people hurt, primarily by flying glass, and one man dying of a heart attack.
Following the bombings, the Price sisters, along with Gerry Kelly and Hugh Feeney, were apprehended while attempting to board a flight to Ireland. They were subsequently tried and convicted at Winchester Castle, with Marian Price receiving two life sentences. Immediately after their conviction, the Price sisters, along with Kelly and Feeney, embarked on a hunger strike. Their demand was to be repatriated to a prison in Northern Ireland, arguing that they should be treated as political prisoners rather than common criminals, a status not granted to IRA prisoners in England at the time.
This hunger strike became a defining and harrowing period in Marian Price’s life. It lasted over 200 days, during which she, like her sister, was subjected to brutal force-feeding by prison authorities for 167 of those days. Price’s own accounts of force-feeding describe a deeply traumatic experience, involving physical restraint and the forced insertion of a tube down her throat. The ordeal severely impacted her health, leading to anorexia nervosa and other long-term medical issues.
Release and Opposition to the Peace Process
Marian Price was eventually released in 1980 on a Royal Prerogative of Mercy, a rare discretionary act by the Crown, due to her rapidly deteriorating health from anorexia. After her release, she largely withdrew from public life for a period. However, the 1990s saw her re-emerge as a vocal and unyielding critic of Sinn Féin’s “peace strategy” and the subsequent Good Friday Agreement (Belfast Agreement).
Price’s opposition stemmed from her conviction that the agreement fell short of achieving a united Ireland and betrayed the republican ideals for which she and others had sacrificed so much. She famously stated that the agreement was “certainly not what I went to prison for.” This stance aligned her with dissident republican factions who continued to advocate for armed struggle to achieve a complete British withdrawal from Northern Ireland. She became associated with groups such as the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and served as a spokesperson for the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association.
Later Imprisonment and Health Concerns
In May 2011, Marian Price, by then known as Marian McGlinchey after marriage, was arrested and her licence revoked by the then Northern Ireland Secretary, Owen Paterson. The decision was highly controversial and sparked a significant campaign for her release. She had been arrested after holding the text of a speech at a Real IRA rally in Derry, which was deemed to be in support of an illegal organisation and to pose a “significantly increased” threat.
Her re-imprisonment was fraught with legal complexities and humanitarian concerns. Price argued that the royal pardon she received in 1980 meant she was not on licence, a claim complicated by the Northern Ireland Office stating the original pardon document “could not be located.” She was held without trial for an extended period, with ongoing charges relating to providing a mobile phone for a terrorist purpose and aiding and abetting a meeting in support of an illegal organisation.
Her already fragile health, exacerbated by the effects of her previous hunger strike and force-feeding, deteriorated further during this period of detention. She suffered from severe arthritis and a recurrence of anorexia. Human rights organisations and political figures, both locally and internationally, voiced concerns about her continued imprisonment and the conditions under which she was held, including a period of solitary confinement. The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture even stated that solitary confinement exceeding 15 days could amount to torture.
After more than two years in custody, much of it spent in isolation or transferred to hospital on medical advice, Marian Price was finally released from custody on licence in May 2013. The decision was made by the Parole Commissioners, citing her “current circumstances” and declining health. The charges against her remained, but her release was widely welcomed by her supporters on humanitarian grounds.
Current Trends and Public Perception
In the contemporary landscape, Marian Price continues to evoke strong reactions, largely due to her unwavering republican convictions and her association with dissident republicanism. Online discussions, particularly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook), often revolve around her historical role in the Troubles, her criticisms of the peace process, and the controversies surrounding her later imprisonment.
Recently, there have been notable developments concerning Marian Price’s public profile. In late 2024, news emerged that Marian Price was initiating legal proceedings against Disney+ over its historical drama series, “Say Nothing.” The series, based on Patrick Radden Keefe’s book, reportedly depicted Price as being responsible for the murder of Jean McConville in 1972. Price’s legal team has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them “odious” and “not based on a single iota of evidence,” arguing that such depictions cause immeasurable harm for the sake of streaming success. This lawsuit has brought Marian Price back into the media spotlight, reigniting discussions about her past and the portrayal of historical figures in dramatised accounts of the Troubles.
On X (Twitter), discussions about Marian Price often trend when historical events related to the Troubles are commemorated or when new documentary or fictionalised content about the era is released. There’s a clear polarisation in sentiment, with some users expressing admiration for her steadfast republicanism and highlighting her suffering as a hunger striker, while others condemn her involvement in violence and her opposition to the peace process. Hashtags related to “Irish Republicanism,” “TroublesHistory,” and “Justicefor[various victims/causes]” often intersect with mentions of Price.
On Meta (Facebook), various republican commemoration pages and history groups frequently share articles, images, and discussions about Marian Price. These platforms tend to be more supportive of her republican stance, focusing on her sacrifices and her perceived principled opposition to the Good Friday Agreement. However, comments sections can also become arenas for heated debate, particularly with unionist or mainstream nationalist perspectives challenging her narrative. The lawsuit against Disney+ has generated significant buzz, with many expressing support for her legal action against what they see as a misrepresentation of historical events.
Quora and Youtubees reveal a public keen to understand the nuances of Marian Price’s life. Common questions on Quora often delve into her specific actions (e.g., “What was Marian Price known for?”), her political evolution (e.g., “What were Marian Price’s views on the Belfast Agreement?”), and her experiences during her hunger strike (e.g., “What happened to Marian Price during her hunger strike?”). YouTube content ranges from historical documentaries and news archives featuring Price to personal accounts and interviews with those who knew her or were involved in republican movements. These platforms serve as crucial repositories for information and diverse perspectives, allowing individuals to explore the complexities of her story beyond soundbites.
FAQs
Who is Marian Price?
Marian Price is a prominent Irish republican activist, born in Belfast in 1954, who was a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). She is known for her involvement in the 1973 London bombings, her subsequent hunger strike, and her later opposition to the Good Friday Agreement.
What was Marian Price known for during the Troubles?
Marian Price was primarily known for her part in the 1973 IRA car bomb attacks in London, particularly at the Old Bailey. She was also widely known for her subsequent and prolonged hunger strike while imprisoned in England, during which she was force-fed for many months.
What happened to Marian Price after the 1973 bombings?
After her conviction for the 1973 London bombings, Marian Price went on a hunger strike demanding repatriation to Northern Ireland. This led to her being force-fed for 167 days. She was eventually released in 1980 on humanitarian grounds due to severe health issues.
What were Marian Price’s views on the Good Friday Agreement?
Marian Price was a staunch opponent of the Good Friday Agreement (Belfast Agreement). She viewed it as a betrayal of republican ideals, believing it did not achieve a united Ireland and legitimised British rule in Northern Ireland. She aligned herself with dissident republican factions.
Why was Marian Price imprisoned again in 2011?
Marian Price was arrested and her licence revoked in May 2011 after she was seen holding the text of a speech at a Real IRA rally in Derry. This action was interpreted by authorities as supporting an illegal organisation and posing an increased threat, leading to her re-detention.
When was Marian Price released from her later imprisonment?
Marian Price was released from custody in May 2013 on humanitarian grounds, following a period of deteriorating health while imprisoned.
Is Marian Price still alive?
Yes, Marian Price is still alive.
What is the recent controversy involving Marian Price and Disney+?
In late 2024, Marian Price initiated legal action against Disney+ over its series “Say Nothing.” She alleges that the series falsely depicts her as being responsible for the murder of Jean McConville in 1972, a claim her legal team vehemently denies.
Final Thought
Marian Price remains a figure of intense historical and political significance in Northern Ireland. Her life story is a microcosm of the wider conflict, encapsulating the deep-seated grievances, the cycles of violence, the unwavering ideological commitments, and the enduring legacies of the Troubles. While her actions and beliefs are undeniably controversial and have caused immense suffering for many, understanding her journey is essential for grasping the full spectrum of experiences and motivations that shaped one of the most fraught periods in modern British and Irish history. As new interpretations and narratives emerge, such as those in popular culture, the public’s engagement with figures like Marian Price will continue to shape how the past is understood and debated.
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