Oglach Sean McCaughey
Died May 1946

Sean McCaughey was born in 1916 in Aughnacloy, Co.Tyrone, and came to Belfast with his family when he was five years old. On 2nd September 1941, he was arrested by enemy forces and later charged with "Unlawfully detaining and assaulting Stephen Hayes", ex IRA Chief of Staff and self-confessed informer, who had been suspected of such treachery.

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Sean refused to recognise the Court and after evidence had been given against him by Hayes, he was found guilty and sentenced to death by a Military Court consisting of three officers. 

The sentence was later commuted to penal servitude for life.
After spending over five years, under the most brutal and inhuman conditions in Portlaoise Prison, Sean entered onto hunger strike on 19th April 1946 and after sixteen days he decided to go on a thirst-strike also. This was the most tortuous, agonizing and deadly weapon of all.

On the 11th May, 1946-the twenty third day of his fast, Sean McCaughey died.