Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has extended his solidarity and sympathies to the family of his long standing friend and comrade Richard ‘Dickie’ Glenholmes who has died after a long illness.

Gerry Adams said:

“Ba mhaith liom mo chombhrón a thabhairt do chlann Glenholmes.

“Dickie Glenholmes was a Republican activist for most of his adult life. He was a proud Ballymacarrett man who dedicated his life to the Republican cause. He was also a husband, a father, grandfather and great grandfather who loved his family. To his wife Lily, his children Eibhlin, Richard, Damien and Michelle and to their families I want to extend our deepest condolences.

“I have known Dickie for 50 years. He was my friend. He was also a truly remarkable and exceptional human being. He was a freedom fighter and a political prisoner – in British prisons in Ireland and in England.  In the hard years when the British imprisoned him without trial and he was locked away for years in England he kept the faith. So did Lily. A republican in her own right Lily was the perfect partner to Dickie and a wonderful grounded and strong Irish woman. She and their clann minded Dickie through his long illness and she reared their children through his long years in prison and on the run. 

“Dickie believed in freedom and in equality. And when the opportunity was created to achieve republican objectives through peaceful and democratic means he embraced it. 

“Dickie demonstrated time and again enormous strength of character, perseverance and vision. His legacy will continue to inspire and encourage all of us in the time ahead.

“Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis.”