SDLP founder member O'Hanlon dies

Paddy O'Hanlon, has died at the age of 65.

One of the founding members of the nationalist SDLP, Paddy O'Hanlon, has died at the age of 65.

Mr O'Hanlon passed away on Tuesday night in Dublin's Mater Hospital following a short illness.

SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Mr O'Hanlon had been a "real champion of civil rights, justice and reconciliation".

"Paddy was one of the best orators of his generation, powerfully reflecting deep democratic convictions," he said.

"He was part of that leadership class which chose non-violence to challenge the injustice of the old Stormont regime, who rejected the violence of paramilitaries and repression of the state and who consistently espoused partnership as the only basis for sharing a peaceful future."

Mr O'Hanlon was elected as an independent MP for South Armagh in 1969 before playing a role in the foundation of the SDLP a year later.

Skilled negotiator

Former SDLP leader John Hume said his "dear friend" had been a "key figure in the development of the power-sharing 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 said.

"As a skilled negotiator and brilliant orator he fought to achieve this dream through the force of argument instead of the force of violence. He can rightfully claim to have helped transform our society for the better and for everyone."

SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley said Mr O'Hanlon had "played an integral and inspirational role not only in the civil rights movement but later in the founding of the SDLP".

"He was much-loved and well-respected as public representative, a Gaelic sportsman and later as a barrister in south Armagh," he said.

Danny Kennedy, deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist party, also paid tribute.

"Like many of us involved in politics in Northern Ireland, Paddy O'Hanlon's career represented a political journey which eventually helped bring about a political solution to our problems here," he said.

"In his early days he was something of a political firebrand, but he mellowed over the years to become an objective observer of political events.

"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. "