Ex-taoiseach Reynolds in late stages of Alzheimer’s disease

Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds is in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease and receiving around-the-clock care.

His son Philip spoke publicly on behalf of the family for the first time after the former Fianna Fáil leader was conspicuously absent from the celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration.

Mr Reynolds, 81, and former British prime minister John Major had crafted a friendship and a diplomatic strategy from an unlikely start which in 1993 led to the breakthrough for the Northern Ireland peace process.