Officer in command during 1981 H–Blocks hunger strike and Maze prison breakout
Brendan "Bik" McFarlane (1951-2024) was an IRA figure known for commanding the H-Blocks during the 1981 hunger strikes and his role in the 1983 Maze prison escape. He was convicted and jailed for life for his involvement in the 1975 Bayardo Bar massacre. After escaping Maze prison, he was linked to the 1983 kidnapping of Don Tidey and the deaths of two law enforcement officers, though never prosecuted for it. He was later arrested in Amsterdam and extradited to Northern Ireland for his Maze escape, serving an additional five years. Released in 1997, he married, had children, and remained involved in republican circles.
