Daly best known as outspoken critic of the IRA

CARDINAL Cahal Daly was best known during his time in office as an outspoken critic of the IRA.

The 92-year-old led the Irish Church as the Primate of All Ireland from 1990-’96, but as the bishop of Down and Connor from 1982 onwards he was based in Belfast at the heart of the long-running conflict.

He was ordained in 1941 and, while he rose to become a high-profile figure, he was a surprise choice to replace his predecessor as primate, the late Cardinal Tomas O’Fiaich.