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Robinson issues Daly condolences Robinson issues Daly condolences
(10 minutes later)
First Minister Peter Robinson has issued a statement of condolence on the death of Cardinal Cahal Daly.First Minister Peter Robinson has issued a statement of condolence on the death of Cardinal Cahal Daly.
The DUP leader had been criticised for not releasing such a statement since the former Catholic all-Ireland primate's death on Thursday.The DUP leader had been criticised for not releasing such a statement since the former Catholic all-Ireland primate's death on Thursday.
However, Mr Robinson said he had "been indisposed due to family issues".However, Mr Robinson said he had "been indisposed due to family issues".
"I am acutely aware of the high esteem with which Cardinal Daly was held by many throughout the community," the first minister said."I am acutely aware of the high esteem with which Cardinal Daly was held by many throughout the community," the first minister said.
Last week, Mr Robinson's wife Iris, the MP for Strangford, announced she was quitting politics because of an ongoing battle with severe depression.Last week, Mr Robinson's wife Iris, the MP for Strangford, announced she was quitting politics because of an ongoing battle with severe depression.
In his statement of condolence to Cardinal Daly he added: "He was consistent in his opposition to the use of violence to advance political objectives.In his statement of condolence to Cardinal Daly he added: "He was consistent in his opposition to the use of violence to advance political objectives.
"Cardinal Daly's passing has caused immense grief for many in the community who looked to him for spiritual and theological guidance and my thoughts are also with them at this time.""Cardinal Daly's passing has caused immense grief for many in the community who looked to him for spiritual and theological guidance and my thoughts are also with them at this time."
Earlier, former deputy first minister Seamus Mallon said he was surprised Mr Robinson had not yet issued a statement.Earlier, former deputy first minister Seamus Mallon said he was surprised Mr Robinson had not yet issued a statement.
Mr Mallon said it seemed hard to believe it was an oversight of the first minister's staff.Mr Mallon said it seemed hard to believe it was an oversight of the first minister's staff.
Cardinal Daly died on Thursday, three days after being rushed to the coronary unit of Belfast City Hospital.Cardinal Daly died on Thursday, three days after being rushed to the coronary unit of Belfast City Hospital.
Former Church of Ireland primate Lord Eames also said he was disappointed by the lack of a statement by Mr Robinson.Former Church of Ireland primate Lord Eames also said he was disappointed by the lack of a statement by Mr Robinson.
"I think there are occasions when as a leader, in that position you're supposed to represent the feelings of the entire community," Lord Eames said."I think there are occasions when as a leader, in that position you're supposed to represent the feelings of the entire community," Lord Eames said.
"I would hope that before long that would be rectified. I think people would have expected some recognition of the death of a leading churchman.""I would hope that before long that would be rectified. I think people would have expected some recognition of the death of a leading churchman."
Former SDLP deputy leader Mr Mallon added: "I'd like to think the office of first minister, and I know something about it, would be very efficient.Former SDLP deputy leader Mr Mallon added: "I'd like to think the office of first minister, and I know something about it, would be very efficient.
"I just can't believe that those very good officials would not have presented the first minister with a statement which he might issue.""I just can't believe that those very good officials would not have presented the first minister with a statement which he might issue."
On Saturday, the remains of the late cardinal were taken to St Peter's Cathedral in west Belfast where he will lie in state.On Saturday, the remains of the late cardinal were taken to St Peter's Cathedral in west Belfast where he will lie in state.
The coffin of the former Catholic Primate of all Ireland, who died aged 92, was carried into the cathedral by six pallbearers.The coffin of the former Catholic Primate of all Ireland, who died aged 92, was carried into the cathedral by six pallbearers.
He was an outspoken critic of those who used violence to achieve political objectives Taoiseach Brian Cowen Cardinal Daly died after a short illness
They were all from the Diocese of Down and Connor where the cardinal served as bishop from 1982 to 1990.They were all from the Diocese of Down and Connor where the cardinal served as bishop from 1982 to 1990.
His remains will be removed to Armagh on Sunday afternoon and he will be buried on Tuesday in the grounds of St Patrick's Cathedral.His remains will be removed to Armagh on Sunday afternoon and he will be buried on Tuesday in the grounds of St Patrick's Cathedral.
In a homily to the cardinal, Bishop Noel Treanor said he was a "leader and a prophetic champion of justice, peace and reconciliation".In a homily to the cardinal, Bishop Noel Treanor said he was a "leader and a prophetic champion of justice, peace and reconciliation".
The bishop said: "True to his youthful and vigorous spirit, he recently told a group of seminarians in the Irish College, Rome, that he would love to have been one of their number, setting out anew on priestly ministry in this world so different from that of his youth.The bishop said: "True to his youthful and vigorous spirit, he recently told a group of seminarians in the Irish College, Rome, that he would love to have been one of their number, setting out anew on priestly ministry in this world so different from that of his youth.
"The well-springs of Christian faith and hope, which sourced that remark, spurred him also to countless and untold acts of kindness like his hospital visits to victims of violence late at night, supportive phone calls to priests and clergy exposed to trauma, and his close interest in seminarians.""The well-springs of Christian faith and hope, which sourced that remark, spurred him also to countless and untold acts of kindness like his hospital visits to victims of violence late at night, supportive phone calls to priests and clergy exposed to trauma, and his close interest in seminarians."
Tributes Born in Loughguile, County Antrim, on 1 October 1917, Cardinal Daly was archbishop of Armagh and primate of All Ireland in the early 1990s.
In a statement on Saturday the Pope said: "I recall with gratitude Cardinal Daly's long years of devoted pastoral service to the church as priest, bishop and primate of all Ireland, his assistance as a member of the college of cardinals and especially his sustained efforts in the promotion of justice and peace in Northern Ireland."
Cardinal Daly died after a short illness
Cardinal Sean Brady, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, said he had a "long, full and happy life".
"I believe, when fully assessed and appreciated, the legacy of Cardinal Cahal Daly to the ecclesiastical and civil history of Ireland will be seen as immense," he said.
Presbyterian Moderator Dr Stafford Carson also paid tribute to Cardinal Daly.
"An outstanding academic, Cahal Daly will always be remembered for the huge contribution he made to the developing of better relationships between the Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches," he said.
Irish Premier, Taoiseach Brian Cowen, said Cardinal Daly had been a man of great intellect and humanity who had made a huge contribution to both the Catholic Church and civic society in Ireland.
"He was a trenchant supporter of peace. He was an outspoken critic of those who used violence to achieve political objectives," he said.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair praised Cardinal Daly's contribution to ending the violence of the Troubles.
He said: "Cardinal Daly made a significant contribution to delivering peace as he worked to break down barriers between communities.
"His life is a real and lasting example of effective religious leadership working to build peace and resolve conflict in the most challenging of circumstances."
Born in Loughguile, County Antrim, on 1 October 1917, Cardinal Daly was Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in the early 1990s.
He was made a cardinal in 1991. He retired in 1996 at the age of 79 and returned to his study of philosophy.He was made a cardinal in 1991. He retired in 1996 at the age of 79 and returned to his study of philosophy.