Mo Mowlam: 1949-2005
Ms Mowlam, who as Northern Ireland Secretary oversaw the negotiations which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, died at 8.10am yesterday in a hospice in the British city of Canterbury.
The popular and unconventional New Labour politician hit her head in a fall two weeks ago and never regained consciousness.
She had experienced difficulties with her balance as a result of radiotherapy for a brain tumour diagnosed in 1997.
Mrs McAleese praised her “great spirit and courage”, saying that, even after she had left office. “Mo Mowlam continued to express in so many ways her deep affection for the people of Ireland, and I know this affection was returned a hundredfold”.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said even at her lowest moments “she always seemed to have enough energy and enthusiasm to lift an occasion and to inspire those around her”.
“No matter what the challenge, Mo tackled it with courage and sincerity.”
British Prime Minister Tony Blair described her as “one of the most remarkable and colourful personalities” ever to enter British politics, with one of the “shrewdest political minds” he had encountered.
Ms Mowlam, 55, is survived by her husband Jon.
