PUP Leader David Ervine dies

[Lionel Ritchie]

From Ireland.com breaking news: (http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0108/breaking1.htm) The Progressive Unionist leader David Ervine is critically ill in a Belfast hospital.

It is believed the east Belfast Assembly member had suffered a massive heart attack or stroke yesterday morning.

He was initially taken to the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald in east Belfast but was later moved to the Royal Victoria Hospital.


PUP leader David ErvineMr Ervine (53), who was jailed in the 1970s for possessing explosives as a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), is regarded as one of the most forward-thinking unionists for supporting the Belfast Agreement and his role in brokering the loyalist ceasefires of 1994.

Incorrectly reported last night by RTE that he'd died. Though if, as reported, he's had two heart attacks and a stroke then it's possible he did die and they got him going again. It looks very bad for him though

I hope the guy pulls through anyway as he's always struck me as someone who tried to look beyond the next election and there was little nonsense about him. I wish more of those with paramilitary pasts had gone half as far he seems to have done in questioning motivation, examining and analysing belief etc. Besides, 53 isn't a fair innings for anyone in this day and age.

Like I say, I hope he pulls through but he'll have to put the pipe away for good.

[dahamsta]

I always liked Ervine, he's always been the voice of reason from the "other side". I hope he recovers fully.

Major gaff on RTE's part last night.

adam

[beautifulrock]

Yes one of the good guys who always managed to look at the big picture. Major gaffe indeed by RTE especially has they had Tommy Gorman giving him the "last rites" at the start of the news before changing the story to seriously ill for the wrap up.

[holidaysong]

You spelt his name wrong.

[gustavo]

One of my friends was involved in Sinn Fein youth and he said of Irvine that he was probably the best politician he met whilst up there . Hope he pulls through.

[pete]

He seems to have been relatively quiet in recent years but always impressed me by his pragmatic approach to northern politics. Seemed like he isolated in his own community such was his openess. He would be a definite loss to politics north of the border so hopefully he pulls through.

[dahamsta]

You spelt his name wrong.Indeed, edited.

[Macy]

Politically a brave man. Also one of the few politicians of any hue (including SF) to recognise that all the troubles served to do was to keep the working class of both communities at the bottom of the heap. The middle classes get to talk the talk, while the working classes get to walk the walk.

The missus would've had dealings with him from time to time - she always said he was the most friendly and courteous of the lot.

[Risteard]

RIP.
A loss.

[gustavo]

RIP David
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6242215.stm

[Lim till i die]

RIP David

Regardless of what he did in the past, always struck me as one of the good guys. Seemed to actually care about the ordinary folk of Northern Ireland

Pity there isn't more like him

[dahamsta]

RIP David.

[paul_oshea]

not that anyone sees it but

RIP David.

seemed like he had a genuine interest in all things on the island of ireland. remember he toured america and gave a lecture in MIT, very very powerful speaker.

[Peadar]

Always found David to be someone who's opinion I could listen to and thought he represented his community very well. Much more down to earth than those stuffy conservative types.

They say the good die young, that must be what's keeping Paisley alive so long.

RIP Mr. Ervine.

[NeilMcD]

Yeah one of the most reasonable and brave and honest politicians I have ever heard speaking.

[cheifo]

Good fella.
RIP David.

[Poor Student]

About the only non-mainstream Unionist to survive the polarising cull of the last election. He had a very different and more down to earth perspective than most Unionist politicians and seemed to have a genuine concern for the Unionist working class who he saw as forgotten and mislead by Unionist leaders. He was just about the only Unionist politician who came across as a warm and charming speaker and seemed like a true gentleman. I know he had a violent past but he seemed as if he had left that behind him and was instrumental in arranging the loyalist ceasefire.

RIP.

[citizenerased]

despite his previous membership of the UVF, he will be a loss.....................

[Kingdom]

Always liked listening to him. Seemed an affable person. While I was aware of his past, he always seemed genuinely interested in trying to make things better without trying to rile the Nationalists. Almost sure I saw an interview with him where he said he enjoyed the odd trip to Dublin, with a reference to the Guinness.:D
A loss undoubtedly.
RIP.

[Macy]

While I was aware of his past, he always seemed genuinely interested in trying to make things better without trying to rile the Nationalists.
And the UVF are the only paramilitary to have expressly apologise to it's victims.

[swain]

And the UVF are the only paramilitary to have expressly apologise to it's victims.

Rest in Peace. The PIRA and INLA apologised for civilian deaths.

[Macy]

apologised for civilian deaths.
So not expressly, with qualification.

[Saint Tom]

if proof was needed that redemption exists and that people can reform.

[bennocelt]

RIP
what a guy, i reckon he would had loved to have lived in dublin, etc, as he always seemed to be enjoying himself down here, but anytime you saw him up north, he looked liked he was seriously depressed

the best politican from the north (ireland?) bar none

[Block G Raptor]

A

They say the good die young, that must be what's keeping Paisley alive so long.

RIP Mr. Ervine.

At last something we can agree on

may his God rest him