Human rights champion dies at 64

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin last night led tributes to renowned Irish human rights champion, Pat Rice who died this week unexpectedly, aged 64.

Mr Rice spent 40 years in Latin America working in human rights education and campaigning on behalf of families of the “disappeared”. He himself was kidnapped and tortured while working as a missionary priest in Argentina.

Mr Martin described him as an “an extraordinary Irishman: a teacher, educator, activist and lobbyist who will be remembered for the profound impact he has made on Ireland, on Argentina, and on the international human rights arena”.