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Nelson Mandela: Tributes paid on both sides of Irish border Nelson Mandela: Tributes paid on both sides of Irish border
(35 minutes later)
Politicians on both sides of the Irish border have paid tribute to Nelson Mandela who has died at the age of 95.Politicians on both sides of the Irish border have paid tribute to Nelson Mandela who has died at the age of 95.
The anti-apartheid campaigner, who served as South Africa's first black president, passed away on Thursday after a long illness.The anti-apartheid campaigner, who served as South Africa's first black president, passed away on Thursday after a long illness.
First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson said Mr Mandela was a "true world figure" and his passing was a "massive loss".
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said "a great light has been extinguished".Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said "a great light has been extinguished".
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said: "Nelson Mandela was a towering figure and an inspiration to freedom-loving people the world over." Mr Kenny offered his "deepest sympathies, on behalf of the Irish government and people, to his family, to his friends and supporters, and to the government and the people of South Africa".
Mr Adams met Mr Mandela shortly after the South African leader was released from prison in 1990. 'Transformed'
The Sinn Féin leader said he had learned of his death with "deep sadness". "The name Mandela stirred our conscience and our hearts. It became synonymous with the pursuit of dignity and freedom across the globe," he said.
Mr Adams said he wanted to extend his "heartfelt sympathy" to the Mandela family, to the ANC and to the people of South Africa.
The Irish prime minister offered his "deepest sympathies, on behalf of the Irish government and people, to his family, to his friends and supporters, and to the government and the people of South Africa."
"The name Mandela stirred our conscience and our hearts. It became synonymous with the pursuit of dignity and freedom across the globe," Mr Kenny said.
"Today, a great light has been extinguished. The boy from the Transkei has finished his long walk. His journey transformed not just South Africa, but humanity itself."Today, a great light has been extinguished. The boy from the Transkei has finished his long walk. His journey transformed not just South Africa, but humanity itself.
"As we mark his passing, we give thanks for the gift of Nelson Mandela. We ask that his spirit continues to inspire, guide and enlighten us as we strive to bring freedom and dignity to the family of man, our brothers and sisters, across the world." "As we mark his passing, we give thanks for the gift of Nelson Mandela. We ask that his spirit continues to inspire, guide and enlighten us as we strive to bring freedom and dignity to the family of man, our brothers and sisters, across the world," the Irish prime minister added.
Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers are on a trade mission to Japan but writing on his Twitter account, Mr Robinson said: "Passing of Nelson Mandela is a massive loss for South Africa.
"A true world figure. Had the privilege of meeting him several times."
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: "So sad to hear our dear friend Nelson Mandela, freedom fighter, peace maker and reconciler has died."
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams also said he had learned of the death with "deep sadness".
"Nelson Mandela was a towering figure and an inspiration to freedom-loving people the world over," he said.
Mr Adams met Mr Mandela shortly after the South African leader was released from prison in 1990.
'Greatest'
He said that on behalf of Sinn Féin, he wanted to extend his "heartfelt sympathy" to the Mandela family, to the ANC and to the people of South Africa.
Alliance leader David Ford paid tribute to the former South African leader's contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.Alliance leader David Ford paid tribute to the former South African leader's contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.
"Nelson Mandela was one of the greatest leaders of the past century, he said."Nelson Mandela was one of the greatest leaders of the past century, he said.
"As our peace process began to gather speed in the 1990s, I know many people here took inspiration from what Nelson Mandela was able to achieve for South Africa."As our peace process began to gather speed in the 1990s, I know many people here took inspiration from what Nelson Mandela was able to achieve for South Africa.
"We learnt so much from him during the long road to the Good Friday Agreement," Mr Ford added."We learnt so much from him during the long road to the Good Friday Agreement," Mr Ford added.
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said: "The world has lost a great champion for the rights of the oppressed, an advocate for those without a voice, a man who influenced change far beyond the confines which others attempted to impose on him.
"Nelson Mandela bestrode the world like a colossus. He was one of the greatest men of the 20th century," Mr McDonnell said.
"Despite the abuse that he, and those associated with him, had suffered, he turned the other cheek and sought a peaceful and prosperous future for South Africa when apartheid was ended.