RIP Fr. Alec Reid

Stheno

Surprised this hasn't been covered, but the priest who played a leading role in establishing communications that helped lead to peace in NI died yesterday.

He did a lot behind the scenes, and stepped into the public domain delivering last rights to the two British soldiers killed when they came upon the funeral of a mourner shot during the funeral of the Gibraltar three.

It led to one of the most iconic images of the troubles.

http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn3.independent.ie/irish-news/article29776040.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/Alec-Reid.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/priest-who-had-pivotal-role-in-peace-process-dies-29775765.html&h=342&w=620&sz=30&tbnid=D8bCrUlnEP-V8M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=225&zoom=1&usg=__3XQ8D0Ikmkp06jwThK1iQsr8IuM=&docid=_ibUNOh1rHxvGM&sa=X&ei=YCGRUr7AO8rT7AbQtYCABw&ved=0CCwQ9QEwAA

He never sought recognition, and worked for peace.

May he RIP

Stheno

Bah Feckin Humbug! wrote: »

Such a pity his death was dominated by the paedophile assister Gerry Adams crocodile tears and pathetic attempts to garner personal support for himself and Me Sinn Fein from this mans death.

Such a pity a post celebrating and honoring a man who did so much for so little personal recognition is responded to as above


His death has been commented on and his life appreciated by a huge political spectrum including the US, the Irish President, and both sides of the Northern Irish issue.

Son Of A Vidic

Bah Feckin Humbug! wrote: »

Such a pity his death was dominated by the paedophile assister Gerry Adams crocodile tears and pathetic attempts to garner personal support for himself and Me Sinn Fein from this mans death.

Read the thread title, have some respect for the man and maybe leave your political football outside of the thread.

Anyway OP, I strongly believe that if Fr. Alex Reid hadn't of performed his trojan work for many years behind the scenes. The Northern part of this little island would still be entrenched in a brutal war.

He always came across as a man of immense compassion, humanity and simple dignity that touched the lives of many people from religious and non-religious backgrounds.

May he RIP.

crazygeryy

I had never heard of the guy until he died. Rip whoever you were.

Sunnyisland

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057088922

It was covered if not a bit carelessly with a very long first post

Sunnyisland

Fr Alex Reid, who was a pivotal figure during the emerging peace process in Northern Ireland, died this morning.
Fr Reid has been described as a “pillar of the peace process” by Nobel Laureate and former SDLP leader John Hume.

A native of Co Tipperary, he died “peacefully” in a Dublin hospital at 6.40 am, his Redemptorist Order announced. “We extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends and those who got to know him as a Redemptorist in the various roles and ministries he held. He will be especially remembered for his work in the Northern Ireland peace process,” the Order said in a statement.

Fr Reid tried to keep a low profile despite his peace process work. He became embroiled in controversy in October 1995 when being baited by Protestant victims’ campaigner Willie Frazer he said that the unionist community had treated Catholics in the same way as the “Nazis treated the Jews” - a remark for which he subsequently apologised.


Fr Reid also worked behind the scenes to try to persuade to IRA to provide more information on where the bodies of the Disappeared were buried.
His remains will repose at Marianella Chapel, 75 Orwell Road, Dublin 6 tomorrow from 2pm - 8pm and on Sunday from 1pm - 8pm. Mass will be held in the chapel at 11 am on Monday after which his remains will be taken to Clonard. An ecumenical Service of Gratitude for Fr Reid’s life and ministry will take place at 7.30 pm in Clonard Church. His funeral Mass will be at 12 noon in Clonard Church on Wednesday.

He was a good man who did more than anyone to try and bring peace to our country, May he rest in peace .

Mint Sauce

RIP

crazygeryy wrote: »

I had never heard of the guy until he died. Rip whoever you were.

I think the OP explained it.

Pug160

Stheno wrote: »

Such a pity a post celebrating and honoring a man who did so much for so little personal recognition is responded to as above


His death has been commented on and his life appreciated by a huge political spectrum including the US, the Irish President, and both sides of the Northern Irish issue.

I agree with you but set the violin down, if you can.

timthumbni

Stheno wrote: »

Surprised this hasn't been covered, but the priest who played a leading role in establishing communications that helped lead to peace in NI died yesterday.

He did a lot behind the scenes, and stepped into the public domain delivering last rights to the two British soldiers killed when they came upon the funeral of a mourner shot during the funeral of the Gibraltar three.

It led to one of the most iconic images of the troubles.

http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn3.independent.ie/irish-news/article29776040.ece/ALTERNATES/w620/Alec-Reid.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/priest-who-had-pivotal-role-in-peace-process-dies-29775765.html&h=342&w=620&sz=30&tbnid=D8bCrUlnEP-V8M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=225&zoom=1&usg=__3XQ8D0Ikmkp06jwThK1iQsr8IuM=&docid=_ibUNOh1rHxvGM&sa=X&ei=YCGRUr7AO8rT7AbQtYCABw&ved=0CCwQ9QEwAA

He never sought recognition, and worked for peace.

May he RIP

I'm nearly sure there has been a thread about him already or maybe I'm doting. I remember that image well and to be honest I can't want the video footage to this day as it makes my blood boil. I remember the day it happened like yesterday and though I was only a cub it was the point I remember my hatred of the ira started and continues to this day.

I remember once in anger he also likened unionists to nazis but he quickly apologised for this so I think I could let that slide. Apparently he did a lot of good work behind the scenes regarding helping to convince grizzly adams to go along with peaceful methods as opposed to supporting the bomb and the bullet way.

I'm not a huge fan of religious representatives of any side but he seemed to be a decent spud. General. Rip.

Stovepipe

I agree. he did a lot of unheralded good and is rightly acknowledged for his humanity.
rest easy.

regards
Stovepipe

DEFTLEFTHAND

The fact that the the initial scenes were captured on video make it all the more harrowing. The driver Derek Wood had only recently arrived in the North and his unfamiliarity with the city streets lead to their demise. It's important to note however that the British army ordered them to stay away, it's presumed that they were acting on their own initiative in their surveillance of the funeral.

Fr Alec is seen being shoved away by a man in the last bit of footage where the two BA men are being dragged into Casement Park GAA grounds, he's attempting to reason with the enraged mob and IRA men.

timthumbni

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

The fact that the the initial scenes were captured on video make it all the more harrowing. The driver Derek Wood had only recently arrived in the North and his unfamiliarity with the city streets lead to their demise. It's important to note however that the British army ordered them to stay away, it's presumed that they were acting on their own initiative in their surveillance of the funeral.

Fr Alec is seen being shoved away by a man in the last bit of footage where the two men are being dragged into Casement Park GAA grounds, he's attempting to reason with the enraged mob and IRA men.

The blood was up for those ones. I will never forget. Never. Many things like this happened but few in front of live cameras. It was like a pack of wild animals like baboons attacking a car. The ones that did that were scum though they just blended into the rest at that time. Sad times. Unlike most on here I actually lived and still live in Northern Ireland.

Galwayguy35

RIP

Tramps Like Us

timthumbni wrote: »

The blood was up for those ones. I will never forget. Never. Many things like this happened but few in front of live cameras. It was like a pack of wild animals like baboons attacking a car. The ones that did that were scum though they just blended into the rest at that time. Sad times. Unlike most on here I actually lived and still live in Northern Ireland.

The mourners showed courage to attack a car with armed men inside it - remember this was the funeral of a person who was murdered when another funeral was attacked a few days earlier, they thought that this was a repeat. If you were there and a car came speeding into the funeral, then produced and shot a gun what would you think?

Tramps Like Us

As for Alec Reid there would be no peace process without him, he nursed Haughey along (who also gets far far less credit than he should) through the back channels and laid the groundwork. "They" have him getting Hume and Adams to meet as his achievement, but that was merely window dressing his real work was done beforehand

timthumbni

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

The mourners showed courage to attack a car with armed men inside it - remember this was the funeral of a person who was murdered when another funeral was attacked a few days earlier, they thought that this was a repeat. If you were there and a car came speeding into the funeral, then produced and shot a gun what would you think?

Catch a grip of yourself son. You are starting to resemble that malevolent clown from IT. Did they'd shoot their gun.?? I would have used all my bullets personally.

The very day I recognised the ira for the cowardly scum they were.

pablomakaveli

timthumbni wrote: »

Catch a grip of yourself son. You are starting to resemble that malevolent clown from IT. Did they'd shoot their gun.?? I would have used all my bullets personally.

The very day I recognised the ira for the cowardly scum they were.

I despise the IRA but given what happened at Milltown it's no surprise what the result was when they drove into that funeral. It's easy to see why people there would have thought the funeral was under another attack and reacted like they did. I think they were both idiots but the way they died was horrifying.

In any case RIP to Fr. Reid. A man who genuinely deserves respect and admiration in his work for peace.

Tramps Like Us

They people who attacked the car were not IRA

pablomakaveli

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

They people who attacked the car were not IRA

I didn't say they were but the ones who executed them were though.

BMJD

RIP

as for those other two, they got what they deserved

Stheno

Without wanting to be a backseat mod, for me the abiding memory of that day now, is a priest who had the courage to potentially alienate those in the republican community with whom he had been talking to, by delivering those last rites

That took huge courage, and belief in the future.

I remember watching the news coverage of those murders, and being horrified, I'll never forget it.

timthumbni

BMJD wrote: »

RIP

as for those other two, they got what they deserved

Keyboard warrior for certain. You are great man altogether. Doubtful if you would say that in public. Certainly not in front of me. ;-)

BMJD

timthumbni wrote: »

Keyboard warrior for certain. You are great man altogether. Doubtful if you would say that in public. Certainly not in front of me. ;-)

and you call me the keyboard warrior :rolleyes:

Tramps Like Us

timthumbni wrote: »

Keyboard warrior for certain. You are great man altogether. Doubtful if you would say that in public. Certainly not in front of me. ;-)

Now who's a keyboard warrior

timthumbni

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Now who's a keyboard warrior

I was taking the proverbial piss. Hence the wink. God you aren't the sharpest tool in the box are you?

Lot of keyboard warriors about though I admit.

BMJD

timthumbni wrote: »

I was taking the proverbial piss. Hence the wink. God you aren't the sharpest tool in the box are you?

there's a little box over there for that kind of thing

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:rolleyes:

Too Tough To Die

Jordan must be gutted. RIP

timthumbni

BMJD wrote: »

there's a little box over there for that kind of thing

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;););););););););););););)

:rolleyes:

I know he was a big mate of Gerry adams. Do you reckon he was also a mate of the gerrys brother, the child rapist Liam by any chance.? I know liam was up at clonard regularly. What's your thoughts?

Tramps Like Us

timthumbni wrote: »

I know he was a big mate of Gerry adams. Do you reckon he was also a mate of the gerrys brother, the child rapist Liam by any chance.? I know liam was up at clonard regularly. What's your thoughts?

Losing the run of yourself now, had a few drinks?

timthumbni

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Losing the run of yourself now, had a few drinks?

Who are you anyway? My da????

The truth isn't nice sometimes lads is it??? Lol.

Let's get back on topic anyway bhoys..

Tramps Like Us

timthumbni wrote: »

Who are you anyway? My da????

The truth isn't nice sometimes lads is it??? Lol.

Let's get back on topic anyway bhoys..

Truth? You're trying to slur a great priest by implying impropriety.


Derry's walls look nice tonight, might give the likes of you a coronary though.

rockatansky

timthumbni wrote: »

Who are you anyway? My da????

The truth isn't nice sometimes lads is it??? Lol.

Let's get back on topic anyway bhoys..

Good man, lets get back on topic says you. But only after you spout your hate filled drivel of course.

timthumbni

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Truth? You're trying to slur a great priest by implying impropriety.


Derry's walls look nice tonight, might give the likes of you a coronary though.

Why would that be then chum? I actually live in county Londonderry so would be interested in why you think the city walls would give me a heart attack. I've only been down to that city (city🐛🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘ha) a few times but am interested what would shock me so much.

Please tell me what has happened in Londonderry.... I'm worried now. Lol

timthumbni

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Truth? You're trying to slur a great priest by implying impropriety.


Derry's walls look nice tonight, might give the likes of you a coronary though.

And btw I already have said rip if you even bother to read the thread.

And I'm an atheist btw so let's not get too carried away by the "great priest "nonsense shall we?

I wouldn't leave my kids in the hands of any minister nor priest. They haven't proven themselves to be exactly trustworthy now have they?????

Tramps Like Us

Not gonna bite, Tim

timthumbni

Tramps Like Us wrote: »

Not gonna bite, Tim

I'm very happy for you. ;-)

tdv123

If there's anybody to blame for the deaths of the two soldiers it's Michael Stone. Given his actions a few days earlier it would have been very easy to mistake the soldiers for a loyalist death squad.

Riddle101

RIP FR Alec Reid.

Mod

timthumbni banned.

Do not post on this thread when your ban is up.

K-9

Stheno wrote: »

Without wanting to be a backseat mod, for me the abiding memory of that day now, is a priest who had the courage to potentially alienate those in the republican community with whom he had been talking to, by delivering those last rites

That took huge courage, and belief in the future.

I remember watching the news coverage of those murders, and being horrified, I'll never forget it.

That's my abiding memory, I think Mary Holland from the Irish Times was there as well, I remember reading the photographers story recently as well.

The whole series of events was horrifying, Gibraltar, to Stone and Miltown and ending up at Casement Park. The BBC showed a documentary about it last year and what struck me was the people that were murdered during those mad 10 days, that nobody remembers. We all remember those iconic images and the other "usual/day to day" murders are just statistics.

N.I. really was close to the abyss at that point, people today have a lot to thank Fr. Reid, John Hume, nameless civil servants that enabled talks with SF, Adams and the 2 governments and no doubt plenty of others on all sides. The alternative was unimaginable, we're lucky we'd the right people at the right time in the right place.