SINN FÉIN, the SDLP and the main unionist parties have offered their condolences to Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin on the death of his daughter, Léana.
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness issued a joint statement offering the Martin family their sympathies. “We wish to express our heartfelt sympathies to Micheál, his wife Mary and the entire Martin family at what must be an exceptionally difficult time for them all,” they said.
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Tom Elliott also sympathised on behalf of his party. “I am deeply saddened to hear of Léana Martin’s death, and her family is in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time,” he said.
“On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, and indeed the people of Northern Ireland as a whole, I must convey deepest sympathies on an incomprehensible loss.”
SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie said: “This must be such a devastating time for the entire family and I cannot begin to imagine the pain that they are going through right now.
“I hope that people will give Minister Martin the space to mourn the death of his youngest child. I offer him our condolences and support.”
Léana, who suffered from a heart condition, died in London on Friday, having been transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital from Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.
Her body will lie in repose from 3.30pm today at O’Connor’s Funeral Home, Temple Hill, Cork. Her remains will be taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Ballinlough, Cork at 6.30pm.
A requiem Mass will be held tomorrow at 11.30am.