Danny Connor

Daniel Gerard Morrison, born January 9, 1953, is an Irish author and former Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteer. He was a significant figure in public life during the Troubles in Northern Ireland and held positions such as Sinn Féin's publicity director and editor of Republican News and An Phoblacht. Morrison is also the secretary of the Bobby Sands Trust and currently chairs Féile an Phobail, Ireland's largest community arts festival.

Morrison's early life was shaped by his family's strong republican background in West Belfast. He joined Sinn Féin in 1966 and later became involved with the Provisional IRA after the 1969 riots, aiming to defend nationalist areas. His writing and publicity skills were recognized, leading him to edit Republican News and later become Sinn Féin's Director of Publicity. He was a spokesperson for Bobby Sands during the 1981 hunger strike and was associated with the "Armalite and ballot box strategy." He also served in a short-lived Northern Ireland Assembly and made several unsuccessful bids for parliamentary seats.

Following his release from prison after a 1990 arrest, where he was convicted of charges related to IRA activities, Morrison has focused on his writing. He has authored several novels and plays exploring themes of republicanism, the conflict in Northern Ireland, and personal experiences within the republican movement. His works have received critical acclaim for their portrayal of the conflict and its human impact. Morrison continues his involvement with republican heritage through his role in the Bobby Sands Trust.

Born in West Belfast on January 9, 1953, Daniel Gerard Morrison hailed from a deeply republican family. His father worked at the Harland & Wolff shipyard, and his uncles had prior IRA involvement. Morrison joined Sinn Féin in 1966, initially believing the IRA was a historical entity. However, the violence of the 1969 Northern Ireland riots prompted him to join the newly formed Provisional IRA, driven by a desire to ensure the defense of nationalist communities. During this period, he also pursued education, attending Belfast College of Business Studies and editing a student magazine, before being interned in Long Kesh in 1972.

Upon his release from internment in 1975, Morrison's aptitude for publicity led to his appointment as editor of Republican News. In this role, he engaged in internal critiques of movement policies, such as the Éire Nua program. He became aligned with a progressive republican faction led by Gerry Adams, advocating for strategic shifts within the IRA and Sinn Féin. Morrison served as Sinn Féin's Director of Publicity and acted as a key spokesman for Bobby Sands during the 1981 hunger strike. He is notably associated with the "Armalite and ballot box strategy," a dual approach to advancing the republican cause. He also served as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly and stood for European and Westminster parliamentary seats.

Morrison has authored numerous novels and plays since 1989, focusing on themes of republicanism and the history of Belfast. His works, including "West Belfast," "On The Back of the Swallow," and "The Wrong Man," have been recognized for their candid depictions of the conflict and the experiences of those involved. "The Wrong Man" was adapted into a play and received critical praise for its exploration of betrayal and guilt. His prison memoir, "Then the Walls Came Down," was lauded for its humanistic perspective on life within the prison system and its insights into seeking new solutions to political stalemates. Morrison continues to be involved with the Bobby Sands Trust and chairs Féile an Phobail.

“as far as we were concerned, there was absolutely no chance of the IRA appearing again. They were something in history books”

“the IRA had been deliberately run down, so that when August 1969 came, there was little or no defence [of nationalist areas]'...[so] a new IRA was built to ensure that nationalists were never left defenceless again”

“a disaster”

“Who here really believes we can win the war through the ballot box? But will anyone here object if, with a ballot paper in one hand and an Armalite in this hand, we take power in Ireland?”

“She's the biggest bastard we have ever known.”