Senior republican Ted Howell was hailed as a “patriot” by Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald during his funeral in west Belfast.
Mr Howell, who died last week, was a close ally and friend of Gerry Adams.
He was a backroom figure during the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement negotiations, and was also Sinn Fein’s ex-director of foreign affairs.
The 78-year-old passed away peacefully at his home on January 3.
Hundreds of mourners gathered for his funeral in west Belfast on Tuesday. A service took place in his late residence in the Lenadoon area,
His funeral heard that mourners came from across the world, including the United States, Canada, Spain and South Africa to attend.
The home service was conducted by Father Gary Donegan, and broadcast from the house to those gathered outside in falling snow on Tuesday morning before the procession to the Milltown Cemetery, where Mr Howell was laid to rest alongside his wife.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Ms McDonald and Mr Adams carried Mr Howell’s coffin.
Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams attending the funeral of Ted Howell. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Speaking at Milltown, Ms McDonald said tributes have been paid to Mr Howell from people across the world.
“Ted Howell was a patriot, a family man, a proud Belfast man, a united Irelander, an internationalist and it is no surprise that we have travelled from the four corners of Ireland but also from Canada, from the US, from Britain, from the Basque country and that messages have poured in to Ted’s family and friends from all four corners of the globe to recognise this extraordinary man,” she said.
“Ted Howell was a significant figure in the Irish struggle for freedom from his earliest days and he remained a true and faithful servant of our struggle until his very very last.”
Mr Adams, described as a lifelong friend of Mr Howell, recalled sharing a bunk bed while they were both interned at Long Kesh prison camp in the 1970s.
“All of us will have stories of Ted – his family members, his lifelong friends, his neighbours, his comrades, his local butcher, his drinking companions, former prisoners, people from the Felon’s Club or the Horseshoe bar, Gaza or the Basque country, Long Kesh or London or the USA, Canada or South Africa,” he said.
“Stories about his humour, his generosity, his loyalty, his lifelong commitment to republicanism and those of us who worked with him for decades value his friendship and his mischief making, his craic and his insights into the human condition. Ted’s life was full and he loved life, and no oration can do justice to him.”
Ted Howell (right) with Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness
Mr Adams went on to recall Mr Howell living in Canada for just a couple of months, and returning to Belfast amid the civil rights campaign and saw a “warzone” develop following the events including the battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday in Londonderry and the introduction of internment.
“Ted took part in protest marches then he joined the Irish Republican Army,” he said.
“In March 1972 he was arrested, he was interned, first on the prison ship Maidstone and then in Long Kesh camp.”
Mr Adams described the 1980s as being a “significant decade of change for Sinn Fein … building a peace strategy”, talks with then SDLP leader John Hume and moving into the 1990s when multi party talks resulted in the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
“Ted was at the heart of it all,” he said.
“Ted had great politics …. he understood strategy and the need for the national question to be constantly at the centre of Sinn Fein’s strategy and of all our work. He was a member of the party’s uniting Ireland committee up until his death.
“He was also deeply involved in Sinn Fein’s international outreach, he sought help for the Irish cause but also provided help to other liberation struggles and peace processes.
“Ted was one of us, he was the best of us.”
Pall bearers carry the coffin of Ted Howell as it passes though west Belfast after a funeral service. Liam McBurney/PA Wire
During Mr Adams’ time as party president, one Sinn Fein employee described Mr Howell as “the real leader of Sinn Fein”, while a senior republican described him to The Irish Times as the “backroom backroom man”.
His role came under scrutiny after it emerged Sinn Fein finance minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir sent an email to Mr Howell in 2017, days before he approved cost-cutting measures to the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive, asking if Mr Howell would be “content” for him to sign off on his recommendations.
Mr Ó Muilleoir denied the email was seeking Mr Howell’s permission, saying it was a “courtesy” to keep him informed.
But it fuelled criticism that Sinn Fein was ultimately controlled by figures outside the public eye.
A funeral notice said Mr Howell passed away peacefully at home and was the dearly beloved husband of the late Eileen and loving father to Proinnsias and Eamonn.
“Much loved father-in-law to Karen and Nora,” added the death notice. “Devoted granda to Micéal, Caoimhe and Amelia. Cherished brother to Anne, Margaret and the late Jim and Kathleen.”
“Ted will be loved and missed always by his heartbroken sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, sisters and entire family circle,” read his death notice.