Tuam men end their hunger strike as a deal is reached on the town's potato processing plant and to keep the railway station open.
On 5 April 1978, three men from Tuam, County Galway embarked on a hunger strike in the Town Clerk's office at the town hall.
Town Commissioner vice-chairman, Harry Campbell, a quality controller with Erin Foods; Commissioner Joe Burke, a hardware merchant and Chamber of Commerce treasurer Brian McNamara, a shopkeeper, were protesting against the ending of the rail link with the town and the closure of the Erin Food potato processing plant.
The men felt their hunger strike was their only option as three years of action had failed to save the rail link. Their drastic course of action received huge support from the people of Tuam.
Although planning to continue their hunger strike indefinitely, nine days after commencement, the men called it off as they accepted guarantees on the future of the Tuam potato plant and rail services.
A clearly delighted Brian McNamara was prepared to continue the fast much longer, but is very happy the hunger strike has come to an end so amicably. When the men accepted the package, the people of Tuam responded suitably,
It was jubilations all the way, we couldn’t believe it, there was such emotional scenes outside and inside the Town Hall.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 April 1978. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
