Fr Reid is a great man, says Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday defended Fr Alec Reid against fallout from his Nazi comment, describing him as a great man who had contributed much to peace in the North.

Although he later apologised, Fr Reid caused uproar last week when he likened the treatment of Catholics in Northern Ireland by Protestants to that of the Jews in Germany by the Nazis.

On the day the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed Fr Reid was being investigated on foot of an incitement to hatred complaint, Mr Ahern said any ill-advised comments attributed to Fr Reid should be seen in the light of his contribution to the peace process.