THE Rev Roy Magee, who helped broker the loyalist ceasefire in Northern Ireland, was among politicians, journalists and police officers honoured in the New Year's honours list yesterday.
The retired Presbyterian minister, a key figure in the negotiations which led to the Combined Loyalist Military Command announcing a ceasefire in October 1994, was awarded the MBE for services to community relations.
Mr Magee (66), from Dundonald, Co Down, is now involved in researching the fields of conflict at the University of Ulster, but remains in contact with the loyalist paramilitaries.
The deputy leader of the Alliance Party, Mr Seamus Close, was awarded the OBE for public service. Councillor Close has been a member of Lisburn Borough Council since 1973 and was elected mayor in 1993.
RUC Assistant Chief Constable Tim Lewis was one of seven officers honoured this year. He received the OBE for services to the police.
Three other officers were awarded the Queen's Police Medal. An RUC spokesman refused to comment upon the honours.
Several journalists were also awarded. Mr Fergal Keane, the Cork born BBC Foreign Correspondent now in Hong Kong, was awarded the OBE for services to television journalism.
Several journalists were also awarded. Mr Fergal Keane, the Cork born BBC Foreign Correspondent now in Hong Kong, was awarded the OBE for services to television journalism.
Earlier this year, Mr Keane, who has reported from Belfast, Rwanda and South Africa, wrote a moving letter to his first born son Daniel, describing his own difficult relationship with his father.
Such was the public response to the letter when it was broadcast that Mr Keane has now published his thoughts in a book entitled Letter to Daniel.
The long serving Radio Ulster broadcaster, Walter Love, received an MBE for services to radio journalism.
Actress Margaret D'Arcy who has performed at all the leading theatres in Northern Ireland and was awarded an Honorary MA by Queen's University for services to the theatre, also received an MBE.
The Under Secretary at the Department of Economic Development, Mr David Gibson, received the highest honour in Northern Ireland - the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for public service. Mr Gibson from Newtownabbey, played a leading role in the privatisation of Short Brothers, Harland and Wolf and Northern Ireland Electricity.
Mr Andy Woods, director of the Northern Ireland Office, received a CBE. A former journalist, Mr Woods worked for 10 Downing Street before joining the NIO in 1983.
As a director of the Northern Ireland Information Service, Mr Woods plays a key role in directing the British government's policy on news and current affairs issues.