TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to Paddy O’Hanlon, a founder member of the SDLP, following his death in a Dublin hospital.
Former SDLP leader John Hume led the tributes and he was joined by unionists and politicians in the Republic. Mr O’Hanlon (65) died in a Dublin hospital after a short illness.
He was active in the Civil Rights Association in the 1960s and became a Stormont MP representing ssouth Armagh.
Along with Mr Hume, Gerry Fitt and others he helped form the SDLP in 1970 and played an important role leading up to the Sunningdale powersharing agreement three years later. He was also a writer and later studied law.
Mr Hume said: “Paddy was a key figure in the development of the powersharing model which formed the basis of the Sunningdale Agreement.”
“Like many others he had a vision of a shared democracy on this island based on equal rights . . . he fought to achieve this dream through the force of argument instead of the force of violence.”
Ulster Unionist deputy leader Danny Kennedy said: “He was entirely dedicated to achieving his political goals by exclusively peaceful means, and as a public representative he worked hard to achieve better living and social conditions for a great many people.”
Labour’s Ruairí Quinn said: “Paddy O’Hanlon also made a significant contribution to public life in the Republic in his capacity as chair of the Taskforce on Policy Regarding Emigrants.”
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.