Mark Durkan

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

[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.

[NIHRF @NIHRF]

📢 'When You Know What They Are Capable Of?' Paramilitary Gendered Coercive Control with @humefoundation!

📆 Tuesday 3 December 2024
⏰ 18:30 - 21:00
📍 Ulster University Belfast
🎟️ https://t.co/zsV3kH69Lm

Time to Tackle Paramilitary Gendered Coercive Control

#NIHRF

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Ken Reid RIP.
He epitomised journalism as a public service. Always interested & interesting even when he & others had to track boring faltering phases of process. His genuine warmth, natural fairness & true measure meant he was not only trusted & rated by all but appreciated.

[UTV Live News @UTVNews]

Tonight we bring you the news that our former political editor Ken Reid has died. For decades, he was the trusted voice of politics and guided Northern Ireland through events which made headlines around the globe.

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Mary O'Rourke RIP had a casual flair but cared on issues. Wrapped wisdom in whimsy but she worked a task.

First met on USI Dáil lobby 40+ years ago. A joy dealing as ministers on South-North gas etc in 2001: "You've opened Charlie up, now I'll butter him up".
She gladdened...

[The Irish Times @IrishTimes]

Mary O'Rourke's son Fergal paid tribute to her, saying she “loved [her sons] to bits, taught us to respect everyone, to be honest, to work hard and study hard, to love our family”. #maryorourke https://t.co/Ou8JO34YJj

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Sad loss of Nell McCafferty, writer for rights.
Real influencer & true disrupter.
Charted change in astute care-honed commentary. Also chartered change as empathetic & distinctly emphatic campaigner.
Funny, fierce, terse, tender.
Her unnerving eye-glint: "Now, tell me this.."

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Tommie Gorman RIP.
A truly fine journalist who aided our public awareness, understanding & discourse. Read & reported events with acuity & innate empathy.
His honest decency, casual manner & assiduous method joined to make him so trusted, valued & appreciated.
Condolences...

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

#Breaking Former RTÉ journalist Tommie Gorman has died at the age of 68 https://t.co/y8L3jTEbt3

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Pure coincidence I'm in Oslo @NobelPeaceOslo to share:
•Key agency/integrity of local leadership for peaceful agreement - John Hume &al.
•Efficacy of lateral/external interest & input, benchmarks of principle
•shrill protests & dire predictions from many who accept outcome.

[Mark Durkan @markdurkan]

Compelling case from 3 leaders & widely shared.

+
Our process was helped as international actors affirmed key precepts even as parties here rejected these!
Lesson in value of "givens of the process".
More semblance of 2 State process gives more chance of 2 State solution.

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

Ireland is to formally recognise the state of Palestine, Taoiseach Simon Harris has announced.

Mr Harris said the country is joining Norway and Spain in making the historic move | Read more: https://t.co/A7mHemEYio