The former First Minister of Northern Ireland was instrumental in reaching the Good Friday Agreement.
David Trimble, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and former First Minister of Northern Ireland, has died. He was 77.
On Monday evening (25 July), a statement released via the Ulster Unionist Party, which Trimble led from 1995 until 2005, confirmed his passing, noting:
“It is with great sadness that the family of Lord Trimble announce that he passed away peacefully earlier today following a short illness.”
Alongside John Hume, Trimble was instrumental in bringing about the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, leading to his Nobel Prize honour.
A “deeply saddened” Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid his respects to Trimble.
“Deeply saddened at the passing of David Trimble, someone who played a crucial and courageous role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland,” he said. My sympathies and condolences to all of his family, friends and colleagues.
“The work of reconciliation begun in the Good Friday Agreement continues,” the Taoiseach added. “And as new generations pick up the mantle of this work, it is fitting that we pay tribute to Lord Trimble for his central contribution in setting us on the path to peace and reconciliation.”
Deeply saddened at the passing of David Trimble, someone who played a crucial and courageous role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland.
My sympathies and condolences to all of his family, friends and colleagues.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 25, 2022
“I think history will remember him as a politician who, in a really difficult time, when we were trying to end 30 years of violence, in spite of everything, stood up and put his name to that agreement,” said former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. “That allowed us to bring peace to Northern Ireland and allowed us to progress.”
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie paid tribute to Trimble, describing him as a “political giant” in his remarks on Twitter on Monday night.
“A political giant, a courageous politician, a staunch unionist and a friend,” wrote Beattie.
#LordTrimble – A political giant, a courageous politician, a staunch unionist and a friend. pic.twitter.com/RTVWUAWExe
— Doug Beattie (@BeattieDoug) July 25, 2022
Featured Image via Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland / RollingNews.ie
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