Reynolds deserved the Nobel peace prize

In 2008 Cork City fathers conferred the Freedom of the City on the late Taoiseach Albert Reynolds.

This was an honour richly deserved and a somewhat belated acknowledgement of Mr Reynolds’ brave and significant role in the Northern Ireland peace process, a role much criticised at the time and largely ignored today.

Mr Reynolds faced down those who opposed his decision to speak to all protagonists in the conflict, and as a result of this decision paved the way for the peace process we enjoy today.