Mark Durkan

Former Foyle MP, SDLP Leader, dep First Minister, Finance Minister & GFA negotiator. Married to Jackie; daughter Dearbháil (& dog, Feather).

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Stephen Walker RIP.
Balanced candour, generous humour, engaging analysis. Sharp questions softly put!
Deep interviews for Hume & Trimble books told me his focus was on human experiences & motives more than 'game' of politics.
Condolences to beloved family & bereft colleagues.

[BBC Newsline @bbcnewsline]

Tributes are being paid to the award-winning journalist and author Stephen Walker who has died at the age of 61. The former BBC Northern Ireland political correspondent had a high-profile broadcasting career spanning three decades.

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

@BBCMarkSimpson @BBCNews Fair play.

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Pars 6 & 7 of this @BBCNews piece totally distort the actual record/sequence of events in late 90's.

Blaming the PC's 1998 Drumcree ruling for "a decades-long parading dispute, sparking some of the most serious public disorder in NI's history"...??

https://t.co/I6YcPY6fSr

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

So much is & will be owed to Martin Naughton's creatively generous outlook.
Big picture mind, big giver kind but no big talk. Discrete graces & small touches beside his public gifts. Private, varied & valued peace process encouragings.
RIP.
Condolences to Carmel & family.

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

Irish businessman and philanthropist Martin Naughton, who founded the Glen Dimplex Group, has died aged 87
https://t.co/TZ7K5Fc10t

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

David Andrews RIP.
Decisive decency; firm principles & easy manner. Stalwart for justice & human rights.
I saw his adept way in both GFA & Mayhew Talks. His emotional reflections with Mallon & Hume on new Arts 2&3 evinced acute instincts & deep commitment.
Condolences.

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

Former Fianna Fáil TD and foreign affairs minister David Andrews has died aged 91 https://t.co/PEEngDozLI

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

@JP_Biz When 1st Exec lined up case for needs-based Barnett review, we also saw likely issue of English needs disparities. Variable English devo models since + Andy's signals underline such prospect.
"Makerfield Test" promise may reach to moves to more traceable
tax/spend attribution.

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Tom Frawley RIP.
Saluting a true public service ethic. Empathy, accountability, purposeful management + need-based advocacy.
Tom had the rare gift of prospicience!
Sound instincts, grounded evidence & rounded analysis articulated with warm passion & cool wit.
Condolences.

[Derry Journal @derryjournal]

Tributes to 'much-loved' Dr Tom Frawley following sudden passing of WHSCT chair https://t.co/MOSev8OIa3

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Mickey Bridge RIP.
Canny & candid. Laser focus on truth & justice was not about himself.
I recall his emotional intensity on my need to name each of the Bloody Sunday dead in Parliament in response to PM on Saville Report. And his explicit stress on "..Widgery in the bin.."

[Derry Journal @derryjournal]

Tributes have been paid to the 'extraordinary courage' of Bloody Sunday victim Mickey Bridge following his passing. Mr Bridge will be laid to rest later this week. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
https://t.co/Wcp0pp18k9

[The John and Pat Hume Foundation @humefoundation]

On John Hume's birthday, his powerful words on respecting difference and promoting diversity are so important today in a world filled by division, hate and conflict. 

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Joe Byrne RIP.
Canny analysis, constant caring ethic, straight & steady purpose.
A playmaker, no showboater. A linchpin in 1st Policing Board's success.
Quietly worked with me to secure "unallocated reserves" in NDP in 2007 as earmark Dublin fund for A5. + SEUPB in Omagh.

[The Irish News @irish_news]

SDLP pay tribute to ‘giant of public service’ Joe Byrne
https://t.co/nOgA5gWK4B

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Mary Bradley RIP.
In Council & Assembly I saw her cut through policy spin with "does that mean...for..?"
Hearty, hardy, always looking out for people's rights & Derry's interests.
Pillar for ResourceCentreDerry & instigator of FoyleCup.
Football saw her only hint of prejudice.

[Garrett Hargan @GAHargan]

Tributes to former Derry Mayor and SDLP MLA after death: ‘A true champion for the underdog’

Warm tributes have been paid to Mary Bradley whose Foyle colleagues described her as a “fierce advocate for our city”.
https://t.co/IWIEc5Fd4e

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Eamon Melaugh RIP.
A lifelong channel for betterment in Derry & beyond.
Special ambassador of empathy with pointed rights-steeped regard for impact. Depth of sincere thought carried with jocular lightness of manner.
Every chat with him lifted your heart or raised your mind.

[BBC Radio Foyle @BBCRadioFoyle]

Veteran civil rights campaigner and activist Eamon Melaugh has died at the age of 92.
https://t.co/qDK2l0usD8

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Martin Mansergh RIP.
He used a special range of abilities to enable and enhance collective advancement to peace.
Serious analysis, empathy & sensitive drafting served with boyish humour & modest honour.
An eye for democratic big picture not a personal selfie.
Class but no act.

[Government of Ireland @GovIE]

Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the passing of Martin Mansergh.

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Tommy Gallagher RIP.
Principled, shrewd, straight. Proud local rep; sure colleague; sage voice in Talks & NIA.
As fit to challenge as charm. No poser. Model MLA sharp to question ALL ministers. Strident to get a N-S body HQ to FST.
Exuded empathy, respect, patience & passion.

[Belfast Telegraph @BelTel]

SDLP leader Claire Hanna has led tributes after the death of former MLA and Good Friday Agreement negotiator Tommy Gallagher.

➡️https://t.co/bY8P4eGSn9
https://t.co/bY8P4eGSn9

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Paddy Cole RIP.
True class. Totally professional as the musical showman yet genuinely personable offstage with no hint of ego in a charming mix of craic, warmth & serious interest.
Stalwart star at SDLP Dublin events. Big support for Hume, Mallon & better ways through bad days.

[Marty Whelan @martylyricfm]

One of the truly good guys has left us. Paddy Cole, a true gentleman and a lovely man.

[The John and Pat Hume Foundation @humefoundation]

Today we remember John Hume on what would have been his 88th birthday.
It is vital to remember, today of all days, that difference is of the essence of humanity, and therefore respect for difference is the first and deepest principle of real peace.

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

RIP Uel Adair. Constant champion for @NIC_ICTU @Irish_Congress & @creditunionie.
Uel was direct influence on detailed work in Assembly & Commons to change law to allow enhanced CU services in NI.
Astute & affable with
true belief in people power.
Plus great horsey stories..

[Derry Journal @derryjournal]

Tributes paid to leading Derry trade unionist and credit union pioneer Uel Adair. RIP Uel. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. One of the good guys.
https://t.co/8QVhHFNeou

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Paddy Hill was hugely impressive.
Articulate vehemence against humbu matched by a robust empathy for other victims.
I will never forget how he, Gerry Conlon & @mojo_scot comprehensively & colourfully excoriated disingenuous lines by ministers & officials in a Commons meeting.

[Rupert Bumfrey 💙🖤🤎💚💜 @rupertbu]

Paddy Hill, one of wrongly convicted #Birmingham6, dies aged 80

Hill, imprisoned for 16 years for 1974 pub bombing, set up organisation helping other victims of miscarriages of justice

https://t.co/DhqPj046qW

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

He was kind enough in our brief chat to ask after John Hume.

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Jimmy Carter's 1977 seminal White House statement some achievement by John Hume, Irish Embassy & 4 Horsemen. Pledge of goodwill + economic support set benchmark for IFI (h/t Tip O'Neill) after Anglo-Irish Agreement, Clinton agenda post-ceasefires et seq.. https://t.co/kmW0t884OE

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

I was honoured to meet Jimmy Carter when he spoke in Parliament in 2016. As part of APPG/Neglected Tropical Diseases it was inspiring to hear of @CarterCenter leadership & success against eg River Blindness & Guinea worm. As well as so many other rights-based stances globally.