Family calls for candles tribute to honour Ireland’s peacemaker

THE FAMILY of John Hume have urged people in his home city to light a candle to pay tribute to his peacemaking legacy.

The former SDLP leader’s body was last night due to be taken from Moville in Co Donegal to St Eugene’s Cathedral in Londonderry ahead of his funeral today.

Mr Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland’s Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel

Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region’s sectarian conflict.

He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia.

In ordinary circumstances, Mr Hume’s removal service and subsequent funeral would have been expected to draw huge crowds, but numbers will now be limited due to coronavirus restrictions. Mr Hume’s widow, Pat, and other family members have urged people to stay at home and instead light a candle for peace. “John loved the people of Derry and Donegal,” the family said. “The heartfelt and sincere condolences that we have received from people across the island, but particularly from the communities John loved being a part of, have been immensely comforting to us.”

Mr Hume’s coffin was due to leave Moville across the Irish border at about 7.30 pm last night and was expected to arrive at the cathedral just over an hour later. His family added: “We know that he would have prioritised public health and the safety and health of our communities.

“We’re asking people to follow that guidance – please do not put yourself or others at risk. Instead, we would ask that people light a candle for peace at 9pm in their homes or at their door.”

Father Paul Farren, from St Eugene’s Cathedral, said: “Pat and her family are very grateful for the outpouring of love and support following the death of their beloved John.

“The family are anxious that a public gathering for John’s funeral might inadvertently put someone’s health at risk in the context of the current Covid- 19 pandemic, and are asking that people express their grief by staying at home and joining with the Hume family in a Celebration of Light for Peace.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has joined those paying tribute to Mr Hume.