Former peace process adviser Martin Mansergh dies aged 78

Martin Mansergh, the former Irish government advisor and politician who was a “key figure” during the peace process in Northern Ireland, has died aged 78.

The ex-Fianna Fáil adviser died on a trip to the Sahara with other retired parliamentarians.

The taoiseach (Irish prime minister) called him a “true Irish republican” who leaves a “proud legacy”.

Micheál Martin said: “His contribution to securing peace on this island marks him as a figure who will always be honoured.”

“His early, secret negotiations in Belfast on behalf of Taoisigh (Irish prime ministers) and his work through more than a decade were essential in securing the peace settlement and the overcoming of many later hurdles,” said Martin.

Mr Mansergh also served as minister for state with responsibility for the Office of Public Works.

He was elected as a senator from 2002 to 2007 and as a TD for Tipperary South from 2007 to 2011.

Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said he was “a key figure in the efforts to build the peace process and the success of the negotiation leading to the Good Friday Agreement”.

Mr Adams added: “He was one of those who met with Sinn Féin in the late 1980s on behalf of Fianna Fáil and we retained a close relationship since then.”

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern said Mr Mansergh was “an extraordinary person with a towering intellect with the ability to see so many angles of a problem or equally an opportunity”.

The Tánaiste (Irish deputy PM) Simon Harris said fewer people were “as consequential in shaping Irish Government policy on Northern Ireland”.

He added that “few on the Irish side were more crucial to the peace process, whether through his role as an intermediary or his work to craft a new political and intellectual framework for peace”.