Police board post for ceasefire broker

A former priest who helped broker the IRA ceasefire was today appointed to one of the top posts in the new Northern Ireland Police board.

Denis Bradley who acted as an intermediary between the IRA and the British Government before the group laid down its weapons in 1994, has become the Board’s vice-chairman.

The chairman is leading business academic Professor Desmond Rea.

Speaking at Hillsborough, Co Down, where the Secretary of State welcomed the two men, Mr Bradley said he hoped to achieve a police service that would win the support of the whole community.

‘‘I think that is achievable. I think that’s what people want in their hearts. I want it for me, I want it for my children and for all the other people who live here.’’