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Seamus Mallon, Key Figure In NI Peace Process, Dies Aged 83

Seamus Mallon, one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, has died at the age of 83. Mr Mal...


Seamus Mallon, Key Figure In N...

News

Seamus Mallon, Key Figure In NI Peace Process, Dies Aged 83


Seamus Mallon, one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, has died at the age of 83.

Mr Mallon served as deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland from 1998 to 2001.

He also spent 22 years as deputy leader of the SDLP, and was involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

The County Armagh native was a staunch opponent of the use of violence throughout the troubles.

President Michael D Higgins was among those who paid tribute to Mr Mallon.

He said: "His reputation as a politician and community activist of unsurpassed courage, civility and fairness is held by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

"Few people have influenced the peace process in Northern Ireland more than Seamus Mallon, a formidable opponent and, a tough negotiator in speech and act, but always honest and honourable."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described Mr Mallon as a "force of nature".

He added: “In the darkest days of conflict, when hope was in short supply, Seamus represented the fierce thirst for justice that ran through the SDLP and through communities that had lost so much to political violence."

Main image: Former Stormont Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon. Picture by: Paul Faith/PA Archive/PA Images


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