Michael Fitzgerald (Irish republican)

Michael Fitzgerald also known as Mick Fitzgerald, was an Irish militant and Republican activist who was among the first members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and played a significant role in organising it. He rose to the rank of Commandant, Officer Commanding (OC) in the First Battalion, Cork Number 2 Brigade. He died during the 1920 Cork hunger strike at Cork Gaol. Fitzgerald led 65 men in the hunger strike which was in protest at their detention without being either charged or convicted of any crime. The hunger strike is credited with bringing additional world-wide attention to the Irish cause for independence.