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È morto padre Alec Reid

Father Alec Reid dies

Alec Reid | © Pacemaker

Father Alec Reid, described as one of the key figures of the peace process in Northern Ireland, has died.

Father Reid died in a Dublin hospital on Friday morning. He was 82 years old.

The Falls Road-based Fr Reid and the Reverend Harold Good were the two church witnesses to the IRA’s decommissioning in 2005.

At the time the priest described how the process was guarded by a man with an assault rifle who then became emotional when his gun was handed over for processing as it was the last weapon in the IRA’s arsenal.

Fr Reid was a long-time friend of Gerry Adams and arranged ground-breaking talks between the Sinn Féin president and then SDLP leader John Hume which led to the 1993 Downing Street Declaration.

In 1988, the priest witnessed the IRA murder of two British soldiers in west Belfast.

He attempted to save the men’s lives despite being told he would be shot for his efforts and performed the last rites for the men.

Originally from Nenagh, Tipperary, he joined the Redemptorist Order and went on to spend four decades based at Clonard Monastery in north Belfast.

A statement released by his church said: “The Redemptorists wish to announce the death of our colleague Fr Alec Reid.

“He died peacefully in a Dublin Hospital at 6.40 am this morning.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and those who got to know him as a Redemptorist in the various roles and ministries he held.

“He will be especially remembered for his work in the Northern Ireland peace process.”

Funeral arrangements are to be announced.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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