A Sinn Féin Assembly member died suddenly last night at his home in Belfast.
Michael Ferguson (53), who was the party's education spokesman, had been receiving treatment for testicular cancer. He was the sitting MLA for west Belfast.
Mr Ferguson's death came as the first interview on his battle with cancer was published in a Belfast-based newspaper.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams expressed his sympathies to Mr Ferguson's family and friends.
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"No one who met Michael could fail to see his passion for life and determination," he said. Despite his illness, Michael's death will come as a great shock to the many people who knew and respected him," he said.