Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy has opened an online Book of Condolence for the citizens of Dublin to extend their sympathies to the family of David Trimble (77), who died last Monday following a short illness. A Nobel Peace Prize winner along with the late John Hume, Mr Trimble was a key participant in bringing about the Belfast Agreement — also known as the Good Friday agreement — and became, subsequently, first minister of Northern Ireland.
The Book of Condolence is open online for a week, from Thursday July 28th until Thursday August 4th. All messages of sympathy will be printed and forwarded in a Book of Condolence to Mr Trimble’s family.
Ms Conroy, a Green Party councillor, said she was “greatly saddened” to hear of Mr Trimble’s death and that his legacy “in bringing about peace and reconciliation to Northern Ireland should always be remembered and acknowledged. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”
The Book of Condolence is available to sign at the DublinCity.ie website.
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A Book of Condolence was opened at Leinster House in Dublin on Wednesday, while Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl extended his sympathy to Mr Trimble’s family, friends and colleagues. He also said arrangements had been made for the Tricolour to fly at half mast over Leinster House on Monday as a mark of respect during Mr Trimble’s funeral.
“David Trimble’s legacy is the Good Friday agreement and the peace enjoyed today in Northern Ireland and across this island. He showed true leadership and remarkable courage in the role he played on behalf of unionism in the negotiations that culminated in the agreement,” Mr Ó Fearghaíl said.
Books of condolence have also been opened at Belfast’s City Hall by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Sinn Féin councillor Tina Black, at the Guildhall in Derry by the Mayor of Derry, Strabane Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy, while an online Book of Condolence has also been opened by the Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, DUP councillor Paul Greenfield.
Mr Trimble’s funeral will take place at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church in Lisburn, Co Antrim at 12.30pm on Monday.
