24 Facts About Martin Ferris

Martin Ferris was born on 28 March 1952 and is an Irish former Sinn Fein politician and former Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteer who served as a Teachta Dala from 2002 to 2020.

Martin Ferris's father was a farmer who was a caretaker for Barrow House, which was at that time owned by an aunt.

Martin Ferris was educated locally at Barrow National School, St Mary's CBS, and Tralee Technical School.

Martin Ferris left school early, working on his family's farm and as a fisherman.

Martin Ferris met his wife, Maire Hoare, after his release from Portlaoise Prison in 1977.

Martin Ferris played in the Cotter Cup at the under-14 age group as a back.

Martin Ferris began his inter-county career in 1972 playing Under-21 football for Kerry.

Martin Ferris lined out as a forward, beating Cork at the Munster final, although the team was beaten by Galway at the All Ireland Final.

Martin Ferris's career was interrupted by his imprisonment later that year.

Martin Ferris left the Kerry training panel after the Munster final that year, owing to poor health and Garda Special Branch surveillance.

Martin Ferris joined the Provisional IRA shortly after the death of his father on 29 May 1970.

From September 1974 to February 1975, Martin Ferris was on the run.

Martin Ferris was arrested by Gardai in Youghal, County Cork, on 14 February 1975, along with two other IRA members, viz.

Martin Ferris was not convicted of robbery but was remanded to Portlaoise Prison pending further charges of membership in the IRA as a proscribed organisation.

Martin Ferris was released after nine months in November 1975.

Martin Ferris was arrested again in February 1976 at a Garda roadblock in Ballinrobe, County Mayo after attending the funeral of Frank Stagg.

In March 1977, Martin Ferris took part in a hunger strike along with 20 other prisoners, demanding a public inquiry into conditions in the prison.

In September 1984, Martin Ferris attempted to import seven tons of explosives, firearms and ammunition, as well as medications, training manuals, and communications equipment, using the fishing vessel Marita Ann, which was piloted by Mike Browne, another IRA member.

Martin Ferris had greeted Pearse McAuley and Kevin Walsh, the men charged with the manslaughter of Garda McCabe, upon their release from prison as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

Martin Ferris was appointed to the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle in 1995.

Martin Ferris ran for election to the Dail at the 1997 general election in the Kerry North constituency, polling 5,691 first-preference votes, but was not elected.

Martin Ferris was an unsuccessful candidate in Munster in election held on the same day to the European Parliament.

Martin Ferris later claimed that he had been verbally and physically assaulted while in Garda custody.

At the 2017 Sinn Fein Ard Fheis, Gerry Adams confirmed neither he nor Martin Ferris would be standing at the 2020 Irish general election.