"Putting my life on the line is not only the only thing I can do - it's the right thing to do." Bobby Sands, convicted IRA terrorist, imprisoned in the notorious Maze Prison To some he is a hero and martyr, to others a terrorist or common criminal. Bobby Sands starved to death in Maze Prison in Northern Ireland in 1981 at the age of 27 - of his own free will. His death was intended to force the British government to recognize IRA prisoners as political prisoners. One by one, nine more fellow prisoners followed him to starvation. Sands died on May 5, 1981, and five months later the British government allowed the prisoners to wear civilian clothes. Most of the other demands were subsequently met as well, although the IRA prisoners were never officially recognized as political prisoners.