An Extraordinary Day for an Extraordinary Man
Tuesday 28 August 07
January 12, 2007, has to have been one of the most unusual days in the unusual history of Northern Ireland. On the Newtownards Road in East Belfast, thousands gathered to say a fond farewell to David Ervine, Councillor, Assembly Member and leader of the Progressive Unionist Party. Not since the death over a year before of another East Belfast Boy, George Best have we seen such a large and unusual collection of individuals.
Orations were read by his eldest son, his brother and a raft of politicians and public figures including the Secretary of State, Peter Hain, and the Human Rights Commissioner, Monica McWilliams. There was also a moving message from a council of Aborigines from the North Western tip of Australia whom David had inspired and befriended.
The leadership of all the main political parties in Northern Ireland was there - including Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Féin as well as other senior representatives of the British and Irish Governments, the US Consul General and other senior members of his staff.
I can honestly say, I have never laughed so much at a funeral in my life, and I can imagine that David Ervine would have throroughly enjoyed it himself! It was evident that all who knew him had deep affection for him and were drawn by his integrity and vision.
The sheer breadth of representation would be extraordinary for any politician, but given David's past as a active member of a terror organisation, the event was even more remarkable. In addition to the huge number of 'dignatories' in the congregation, there were two other overlapping groups. One group were comrades from both his political and paramilitary backgrounds (some more 'ex' than others, and including many of his adversaries within militant Loyalism), and the other were the ordinary citizens of East Belfast whose lives he touched.
I can only begin to imagine what was going through the minds of Gerry Adams and Alex Maskey of Sinn Féin and their bodyguards as they were surrounded by thousands of people, several of whom would see these men at their ultimate enemy. Yet they were received - not just cordially - but warmly by the rest of the congregation. Their presence there, represents great courage on their part and is a testament to their respect for Ervine.
The Reverent Ken Newell made in my view the most important political remark of the day, which was that the challenge to those how valued David Ervine, was to continue to work towards his dream of a democratic and non-sectarian Northern Ireland. The most important remarks of all were about a man with great love and passion for his family, his people and his politics. When will we see the like of him again?
