Fr Reid to be honoured for peace process work

The Belfast-based priest who witnessed the IRA decommissioning will be presented with the Tipperary Person of the Year Award …

The Belfast-based priest who witnessed the IRA decommissioning will be presented with the Tipperary Person of the Year Award today.

Fr Alec Reid. Pic: Dara Mac Dónaill/Irish Times
Fr Alec Reid. Pic: Dara Mac Dónaill/Irish Times

Fr Alec Reid will be presented with a unique bronze sculpture by Tipperary-born artist Jarlath Daly showing ascending doves to mark the award in a reception at Dublin's Red Cow Hotel.

He had been at the heart of talks during the IRA's ceasefire that led to the Belfast Agreement.

Conor Lenihan, the Minister of State at the Foreign Affairs Department, will read the citation for Fr Reid as the presentation is made.

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Former SDLP leader John Hume, who worked with Fr Reid in securing the 1993 Downing Street Declaration and the Belfast Agreement, will attend, as will a senior representative of Sinn Féin.

The Hall of Fame Award is also due to be given out to Seamus O'Riain, a former president of the GAA. Mr O'Riain will be presented with a bronze sculpture by Mr Daly depicting hurling and football over a contour map of Tipperary.