Sir, – I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of good friend and colleague, Austin Currie. I valued his friendship from our days in Northern Ireland politics , although we represented different political parties. Our friendship continued when we were elected as Fine Gael colleagues in elections held on the same day in 1989 – he as a TD and myself as an MEP.
He was a giant of Irish politics. I always valued and respected his political contribution in both parts of Ireland. Although others have been given or tried to claim the credit, he was the real founder of the Northern Irelandcivil rights movement and he was totally committed to achieving equality based on non-violent means and respect for both traditions on this island.
We had planned to meet up again several times over the last two years but were denied the opportunity of doing so because of Covid – I will forever regret we were unable to do this.
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his wife Annita, his daughter and Fine Gael colleague, Senator Emer Currie, her siblings, and the wider family circle.
– Yours, etc,
JOHN CUSHNAHAN,
Former Fine Gael MEP,
and former Alliance Leader.
Sir, – The passing of Austin Currie gives us all a chance to reflect on his very remarkable contribution to improving life on the entire island.
He was the one whose actions at a protest in Caledon in 1968 led to unfair housing allocations being highlighted and directly to the formation of the NI Housing Executive. Its record of fair play and improved conditions must be near the top of his great legacy.
– Yours, etc,
IAN ELLIOTT,
Belfast.