Former Irish Prime Minister John Bruton, who played a key role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, has died at the age of 76.
LONDON — Former Irish Prime Minister John Bruton, who played a key role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland, has died at the age of 76.
Mr Bruton’s family announced that he died in a Dublin hospital on Tuesday after a long illness.
“He was a good husband, a good father and a true patriot,” said a family statement released by Mr Bruton’s Fine Gael party.
Mr Bruton, who was first elected to the Dáil party in Ireland at the age of 22, led the centrist Fine Gael party from 1990 to 2001.
Mr Bruton was Taoiseach from 1994 to 1997, a period when Northern Ireland’s rival extremist groups were being induced into peace talks. Often difficult negotiations culminated in the Good Friday Peace Agreement in 1998, but by then Bruton had lost the 1997 Irish election to Bertie Ahern’s rival party, Fianna Fail.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins said Mr Bruton’s contribution to the peace process was “very important”.
“John was very open and outspoken and had a great sense of humor, which really helped ensure camaraderie. Small issues can detract from the important things when it comes to the most important things. We should never allow ourselves to be compromised,” Higgins said.
Former British Prime Minister John Major, who co-authored the 1995 framework document paving the way for peace with Mr Bruton, said the Irish leader was a “brave and talented leader who made a huge contribution to the early stages of the peace process.” ” he said.
“Under trying circumstances, he put peace above political self-interest and led the way towards an end to violence,” the Major said, adding: “He was a formidable servant of the Irish nation and of peace. I am deeply saddened by his death.” ”
After retiring from politics, Mr. Bruton served as ambassador to the European Union from 2004 to 2009.
Bruton is survived by his wife Finola, a son, three daughters and a large extended family.