1980-84: The Hunger Strikes
In October 1980 republican prisoners' campaign to have Special Category Status restored led to one of a series of hunger strikes. Ten prisoners died on hunger strike beginning with Bobby Sands in May, however, in October the campaign was called off as families intervened to save prisoners' lives. The government later conceded a number of the prisoners' demands. In the wake of the hunger strike the British and Irish governments grew concerned at the prospect of Sinn Fein, (which was associated with the IRA) overtaking the SDLP as the largest nationalist party and the two governments began a series of diplomatic talks.