Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Peace be with you John
» Nobel laureate & giant of Ulster politics dies aged 83 » Clinton leads tributes to hero who changed Ireland
NORTHERN Ireland mourned a hero and a peacemaker yesterday after John Hume died following a short illness. He was 83.
The former SDLP leader, Nobel laureate and campaigner for social equality had been suffering from dementia and passed away in a Co Donegal care home.
Former US President Bill Clinton said: “His legacy will live on in every generation in Ireland.”
JOHN Hume, the architect of the peace process which ended Northern Ireland’s bloody conflict, died yesterday aged 83.
The former MP for Foyle, who was a founding member of the SDLP which he also led, had been living with dementia for many years.
He passed away with his wife Pat and family by his side.
They paid tribute to their exceptional husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to this country.
Thanking the people of Derry, the Co Donegal towns of Moville and Greencastle and the staff at the Owen Mor nursing home, the family said: “Celebrating community in all its diversity went to the heart of John’s political ethos .
“We are very appreciative that our communities supported, respected and protected John. He was very much loved, and his loss will be deeply felt by all his extended family.”
As news of his death spread, tributes from across all corners of political thinking poured in for Mr Hume who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, who now holds the Foyle seat his political hero occupied for 22 years, said Ireland had lost one of its greatest figures.
He added: “In the days ahead, Ireland will be united in mourning.
“However, it is equally true that the marking of John’s death also opens up a space to reflect on, and celebrate, the magnitude of his life.
REFLECTION
“As part of that reflection of John’s work, never has the beatitude rung truer – blessed be the peacemakers.
“The life of John Hume will forever be a blessing upon this island since Ireland is now blessed by the peace he gifted to us all. It is the greatest legacy a political leader can bestow upon his country.”
First Minister Arlene Foster said Mr Hume was a giant figure in the life of nationalism and Northern Ireland.
The DUP chief added: “For many of my generation, he was a constant throughout our lives.
“Whilst we disagreed politically, I always admired his steadfast abhorrence of violence, regardless from where it came.
“Whilst he was recognised across the world, there can be no doubt however that his loss will be most keenly felt in his home city.
“My thoughts and prayers are with John’s family and friends. We think especially of his wife Pat, his children and grandchildren. I hope they take some comfort from the peace he helped to create.”
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill expressed her sadness.
She said: “John Hume was a hugely important figure in our political history and a driving force in the Good Friday Agreement.
“He was a man of vision and committed to bringing about equal rights for all.
“John leaves behind a legacy of power sharing and peace.”
Lord Trimble, who was jointly awarded the Nobel peace prize along with Mr Hume, said he left an enduring legacy.
The former UUP leader added: “He was a major contributor to politics in Northern Ireland and particularly to the process that gave us an agreement that we are still working our way through.
“That’s hugely important and that’s something that he will be remembered for in years to come.”
Former UK prime minister Sir John Major praised Mr Hume’s efforts to win peace.
He said: “Few others invested such time and energy to this search and few sought to change entrenched attitudes with such fierce determination.
“Those whose communities have been transformed into peaceful neighbourhoods may wish to pay tribute to one of the most fervent warriors for peace.
“He has earned himself an honoured place in Irish history.” Tanaiste Leo
Varadkar also paid tribute to Mr Hume. He added: “Any attempt to summarise John Hume’s contribution to the people of the island of Ireland is sure to fall short.
“He was a once-in-a-generation leader whose vision for peace was only surpassed by his hard work in making that vision a reality.”
Mr Hume, a former MEP, was a key figure in the civil rights movement of the late 1960s and throughout his political career remained steadfast in his commitment to non-violence. His participation in secret talks with then Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in the late 1980s and early 1990s was a key catalyst for the nascent peace process.
The SDLP leader faced intense criticism, including some from within his own party, when his dialogue with Mr Adams became public in 1993.
Despite threats to his life, he persisted with his efforts to engage with the republican movement and to convince the IRA to end its campaign of violence.
The highlight of his career came in 1998 with the signing of the historic Good Friday accord, which largely ended Northern Ireland’s 30-year sectarian conflict.
In 2010, Mr Hume was named “Ireland’s Greatest” in an RTE poll.
His death comes just six months after that of fellow Good Friday architect and long-time SDLP deputy leader Seamus Mallon.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there would have been no Good Friday Agreement without Mr Hume. He added: “John Hume was quite simply a political giant.
“He stood proudly in the tradition that was totally
We disagreed politically but I always admired his steadfast abhorrence of violence
ARLENE FOSTER YESTERDAY
opposed to violence and committed to pursuing his objectives by exclusively peaceful and democratic means.
“With his passing we have lost a great man who did so much to help bring an end to the Troubles and build a better future for all.
“His vision paved the way for the stability, positivity and dynamism of the Northern Ireland of today, and his passing is a powerful reminder of how far Northern Ireland has come.”
Taoiseach Micheal Martin described Mr Hume as a “great hero and a true peacemaker”.
He said: “Throughout his long life he exhibited not just courage, but also fortitude, creativity and an utter conviction that democracy and human rights must define any modern society.”
Irish President
Michael D Higgins said Mr Hume transformed and remodelled politics in Ireland.
He added: “All of those who sought and worked for peace on our island of Ireland, and in the hearts of all, will have been deeply saddened by the passing of John Hume.
UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said: “Life across the island of Ireland is peaceful and
more prosperous today because of his courage, vision and determination.
Mr Eastwood added the passing of Mr Hume marked a historic moment for the island of Ireland.
He added: “It is no exaggeration to say that each and every one of us now lives in the Ireland Hume imagined – an island at peace and free to decide its own destiny.
In a statement, Mr Hume’s family said: “John was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and a brother.
“He was very much loved, and his loss will be deeply felt by all his extended family.
Mr Hume’s funeral will be arranged according to the current Government regulations with strict rules on numbers.
However, his family said they will invite mourners to a memorial service sometime in the future.
They added: “John would have prioritised public health, and the safety and health of our communities.
“It seems particularly apt for these strange and fearful days to remember the phrase that gave hope to John and so many of us through dark times: we shall overcome.”
His life will forever be a blessing on this island as Ireland is blessed by peace he gifted to us
COLUM EASTWOOD YESTERDAY