David Ervine Dies

fade2black

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6242215.stm

RIP

A real shame, I have to say, out of the lot of them David Ervine is the one I had the most respect for.

Ruu_Old

Agreed, he was always in there making an effort. Rest in Peace.

DublinWriter

Indeed. He was a breath of fresh air to Unionist politics and a real working-class intellectual.

I remember he touched on a very important point once in a documentry he was making about the role of the Irish Brigades in WWI.

He stated that it was possible to be 'Irish' as well as 'British' just as someone could be Scottish/Welsh/English as well as British.

In reconciling the two communities in N.I. I believe Ervine actually found the key to square the circle in terms of cultural divide in terms of that statement.

May he rest in peace, he will be sadly missed.

Flukey

Despite his detest for republicans, he did more to try and bridge the gap than most did. He moved from paramilitarism to democracy to aid the peace process, while other unionists in democracy all the time are making less efforts to get things sorted. A pity he has gone.

r3nu4l

Oh, I only came across this now! RIP Mr. Ervine.

I also had a lot of respect for this guy, seemed to talk moderately and sensibly most of the time. Now he really will be a loss and missed on both sides I'm sure.

The G.M.P

A man of many words !, folks on the hill had him swallowing dictionarys, but I had great respect for him. I am a blow-in, been here for 16 (wonderful) years and every time I heard Him on the media I always listened. Was heartened to see Gerry Adams sincere expressions to Mrs Ervine, as portrayed on tv news. Deepest sympathies to Her, and remaining family and may God bless us all as we live together on this Island. G.M.P

Cork

David Ervine was breath of fresh air.

I remember seeing him down in Cork around 1999 or 2000 at UCC.

He saw politics beyond the tribalisim.

May he rest in peace.