A WELL-known west Belfast republican has penned a book about events in his life which have "left a lasting impression" including a two year battle with depression.
Ón Taobh Istigh, by Jake MacSiacais, was launched at the Culturlann on the Falls Road on Saturday.
An Irish language activist and a lifetime republican Mr Mac Siacais decided to write the book after a battle with depression, which began in 2015.
After two years in counselling, a counsellor suggested he began to write things down and the result is a 700 page book on his experiences.
From Andersonstown the 61-year-old describes how at the age of 17, he was arrested and jailed for two years for conspiracy to cause explosions.
Released in 1977, he was out of prison seven weeks when he was re-arrested and jailed in the H-Blocks, where as a 'blanket man' hunger striker Bobby Sands was in the neighbouring cell.
He volunteered to take part in the 1981 hunger strike but said he was never called up.
In 1997, Mr MacSiacais resigned from the republican movement, taking on a number of jobs within the community.
Currently the director of Forbairt Feirste, the grandfather said the book covers "in detail, the road to the peace process and how I felt about that and where I thought things were. I take the book right up to 2019."
The father-of-five said it was later found he was suffering from post-traumatic stress.
"In 2015, the 'black dog' came visiting," he said.
"That black dog became a constant companion for two years. The prison experiences, surrounded by tragedy and death. It was a really dark place but we came through it and it obviously leaves an impression. It's a real life story," he said.