Tributes were paid to Declan Kelly (42) yesterday after he stood down as US secretary of state Hillary Clinton’s special economic envoy to Northern Ireland to pursue commercial ventures after nearly two years in the post.
He worked alongside Invest Northern Ireland to bring US investment to the North. Ms Clinton said he would remain a “passionate advocate” for the people of Northern Ireland. First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinnness thanked him for his efforts to help regenerate the local economy. The SDLP’s Margaret Ritchie thanked him for his support and called on the US to maintain its commitment to the North. Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party paid tribute and urged Ms Clinton to appoint a replacement.