Farmers leave Mountjoy Jail having served time in the prison for illegal acts during a protest campaign.
There were happy scenes outside Mountjoy Jail as farmers emerged through the gates of the prison where they were greeted by relatives and supporters.
Throughout 1966 and 1967, farmers across Ireland had campaigned for income supports and protested for farmers' rights. In 1966, the National Farmers' Association (NFA) launched a campaign for farmers' rights resulting in many farmers refusing to pay local authority rates.
On 7 October 1966, frustrated by the desperate situation of Irish farmers, the President of the NFA Rickard Deasy led a march from Bantry to Dublin and was joined along the route by over 30,000 farmers. Nine farmers staged a 21 day sit-in at government buildings when Charles Haughey Minister for Agriculture refused to meet them and address their grievances. Charles Haughey was subsequently replaced as minister by Neil Blaney.
The campaign continued for a further six months resulting in imprisonments and and the seizure of animals from farms for non payment of rates. On 14 March 1967, imprisoned farmers were freed on the agreement that they would no longer engage in illegal activities such as road blocking and non-payment of rates. The NFA agreed to continue its campaign within the law on peaceful grounds. A total of 64 prisoners were released from Mountjoy Jail.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 March 1967. The footage shown here is mute.
