Leas-Uachtarán Shinn Féin, Michelle O’Neill, has expressed her sorrow on the passing of life long Irish republican activist, Ted Howell.
Michelle O’Neill said:
“Ted Howell was a life long republican activist, and, throughout that time, a towering intellect. His contribution to the building of a conflict resolution process in Ireland was largely unseen but was one of the firm building blocks that has delivered the transformation of our society and the peace and progress we see all around us today.
“Ted was a leading light in the development of the Sinn Féin peace strategy, authoring key policy papers in the internal debates that resulted in the Irish peace process.
“He was a skilled diplomat, interacting as an equal with representatives of the two governments, US administrations and others. As longtime Chair of the Sinn Féin negotiating team he was intimately involved in every political negotiation from the Hume/Adams talks through the Good Friday Agreement to the New Decade/New Approach deal in 2020.
“A radical thinker and avowed internationalist, Ted was a voracious reader and student of international politics, always determined to learn from the struggles of other peoples and always willing to share the Irish republican experience with others struggling for freedom, justice and peace across the world.
“As an accomplished home chef, he also famously ensured that Sinn Féin had the best fed negotiating team, providing dishes drawn, like his politics, from the best of every culture and tradition internationally. Members of other negotiating teams were at times fortunate enough to also experience his culinary creations.
“Ted Howell performed his central and critically important roles quietly, with humility and never sought public attention or recognition.
“He was, of course, a close and dear personal friend to me and, with all those who knew him, I will sorely miss his intellect, his presence and his friendship. I will be forever grateful for his guidance over the years.
“To his grieving sons Proinsias and his wife Karen; Eamon and his wife Nora. To his grandchildren and their wider family and friends, I extend my heartfelt condolences.
“I measc Laochra na nGael go raibh a anam dílis.”
