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Seamus Mallon: Former deputy first minister of NI's funeral to be held Seamus Mallon funeral: Tribute to 'peacemaker' and 'statesman'
(32 minutes later)
Past and present government ministers are among the mourners attending the funeral of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister Seamus Mallon. Seamus Mallon was a peacemaker who "made a real difference to the world", mourners at his funeral have been told.
Mr Mallon, who died on Friday was 83, was deputy leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP). The former deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, who was one of the key architects of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, died on Friday aged 83.
He was one of the key architects of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Past and present government ministers are among the mourners in St James' Church in Mullaghbrack, County Armagh.
First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill, Irish PM Leo Varadkar and NI Secretary Julian Smith are in the congregation. Archbishop Eamon Martin said he was a "shining example of someone who gives their life in a vocation of service".
Archbishop Eamon Martin, leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, chief celebrant of the Mass in St James' Church, Mullaghbrack. NI's First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill, Irish PM Leo Varadkar and NI Secretary Julian Smith are in the congregation.
Archbishop Martin, leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, told those gathered in the tiny church of St James', in Mullaghbrack, that the politician was determined to "make a real difference, and to leave the world a better place than it was when he entered it".
The mourners include former Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Bertie Ahern and former Northern Ireland First Minister Lord Trimble.The mourners include former Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Bertie Ahern and former Northern Ireland First Minister Lord Trimble.
The church only seats 55 people so the church hall and an additional marquee have been opened to house the overspill.The church only seats 55 people so the church hall and an additional marquee have been opened to house the overspill.
Mr Mallon's coffin was carried into the church by his former colleagues including SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and former minister Alex Attwood.
Seamus Mallon's parish priest, Fr Michael Woods, began by welcoming family, including Mr Mallon's daughter Orla.Seamus Mallon's parish priest, Fr Michael Woods, began by welcoming family, including Mr Mallon's daughter Orla.
"We are deeply conscious that for you, Orla, and the entire family this is an occasion of great personal sadness as you say farewell not so much to a man of high stature in public life on the island, but rather your own dear father, grand-father, father-in-law, brother, uncle and somebody hugely special and significant in your family lives," he said."We are deeply conscious that for you, Orla, and the entire family this is an occasion of great personal sadness as you say farewell not so much to a man of high stature in public life on the island, but rather your own dear father, grand-father, father-in-law, brother, uncle and somebody hugely special and significant in your family lives," he said.
He also welcomed all the politicians and public representatives in attendance, saying: "Your presence in such huge numbers is testament in itself to the impact of Seamus on the life of this island."He also welcomed all the politicians and public representatives in attendance, saying: "Your presence in such huge numbers is testament in itself to the impact of Seamus on the life of this island."
The Northern Ireland Assembly is expected to sit briefly at 12:00 and suspend, before reconvening at 16:30 for members to pay tribute to Mr Mallon, before a procession takes place to open a book of condolence.The Northern Ireland Assembly is expected to sit briefly at 12:00 and suspend, before reconvening at 16:30 for members to pay tribute to Mr Mallon, before a procession takes place to open a book of condolence.
A separate book of condolence opened at Belfast City Hall on Saturday, while another was opened at the Guildhall in Londonderry on Sunday.A separate book of condolence opened at Belfast City Hall on Saturday, while another was opened at the Guildhall in Londonderry on Sunday.
Hollywood star Sharon Stone is among those who have signed the Belfast City Hall book.Hollywood star Sharon Stone is among those who have signed the Belfast City Hall book.
Paying tribute to Mr Mallon on Monday, former Foyle SDLP MP Mark Durkan said he was "a man of intense passions but he was also a man of very soft graces".Paying tribute to Mr Mallon on Monday, former Foyle SDLP MP Mark Durkan said he was "a man of intense passions but he was also a man of very soft graces".
"Seamus was someone in a very natural way who could bring people together. When he saw hurt, he wanted to heal it," he added."Seamus was someone in a very natural way who could bring people together. When he saw hurt, he wanted to heal it," he added.
Mr Mallon was the first person in Northern Ireland to hold the post of deputy first minister, when the role was created in 1998.Mr Mallon was the first person in Northern Ireland to hold the post of deputy first minister, when the role was created in 1998.
At that time, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble was first minister and although they were dubbed a political "odd couple", the pair were united against violence.At that time, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble was first minister and although they were dubbed a political "odd couple", the pair were united against violence.
David Kerr, a former adviser to Mr Trimble, said the two men had done some of the "heaviest lifting" of the peace process and had not received enough recognition for that.David Kerr, a former adviser to Mr Trimble, said the two men had done some of the "heaviest lifting" of the peace process and had not received enough recognition for that.
"Certainly with the Nobel Peace Prize, [former SDLP leader] John Hume was recognised, but at the end of the day I think Seamus Mallon did the majority of the work," he said."Certainly with the Nobel Peace Prize, [former SDLP leader] John Hume was recognised, but at the end of the day I think Seamus Mallon did the majority of the work," he said.
"He was plain speaking, very direct, very honest - he told you what he thought."He was plain speaking, very direct, very honest - he told you what he thought.
"I think when you have people like that in politics it's refreshing and when you are straight and you have integrity in politics, people - whether they agree with you or disagree with you - they respect you.""I think when you have people like that in politics it's refreshing and when you are straight and you have integrity in politics, people - whether they agree with you or disagree with you - they respect you."
Mr Mallon served as the deputy leader of the SDLP when Mr Hume was leader of the party.Mr Mallon served as the deputy leader of the SDLP when Mr Hume was leader of the party.
Both men are widely regarded as playing a key role in the forging of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement, which established power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.Both men are widely regarded as playing a key role in the forging of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement, which established power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.
In his long career in politics, Mr Mallon also served as a member of Seanad Éireann (the Irish Senate)In his long career in politics, Mr Mallon also served as a member of Seanad Éireann (the Irish Senate)
His wife Gertrude passed away in October 2016 after a long illness.His wife Gertrude passed away in October 2016 after a long illness.