Tributes paid to key player in Northern peace process

TRIBUTES were paid last night to a Irish civil servant, Dermot Nally, who played a key role in the peace process. Mr Nally died suddenly last night in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, aged 82.

Having served five taoisigh, the former Government secretary was credited with helping forge a political settlement in the North.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen described Mr Nally as a distinguished public servant who will be particularly remembered for his contribution over many years to resolving conflict on the island: “With key roles at Sunningdale and in the development of the Anglo Irish Agreement, he continued to be involved after his retirement in December 1992.