City civil rights campaigner dies

Willie Breslin was involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960's

One of Derry's best-known civil rights campaigners and founder member of the Derry Labour Party, Willie Breslin, has died.

He passed away on Tuesday after a lengthy illness.

As well as being a prominent member of the civil rights movement, Mr Breslin was a well-respected teacher, who had worked at St Colman's High School in Strabane for 35 years before retiring.

Foyle MP and SDLP Leader, Mark Durkan, said he was saddened by the news.

"Willie Breslin was a man with the best Labour instincts and principles.

"His deep involvement in the civil rights movement and other activism stemmed from a passionate commitment to social justice and equality for all," Mr Durkan said.

"His political engagement was always about the rights of workers, the needs of those without work, the protection and improvement of public services and exposing any injustice or neglect.

"If he wasn't espousing such principles as part of a political platform he epitomised them in his personal undertakings.

"He was known as a great teacher, appreciated as a great neighbour and relied on by many as a solid friend and honest counsellor," he added.

"He was also a great family man who encouraged and took a typically modest pride in their talents and achievements.

"I offer my sincere condolences to Willie's family and also to his old comrades, particularly that special band of people from the civil rights movement."