HUNDREDS of mourners were told today that Brendan Duddy was not afraid to take risks in a bid to bring about an end to violence.
Mr Duddy died on Friday after a long illness. He was aged 80.
He acted as an intermediary between the government and the IRA, hosting secret talks at his Derry home.
Among the hundreds who packed into St Eugene’s Cathedral for the 11.30 am funeral Mass was former SDLP leder John Hume.
Mr Duddy, who had suffered a stroke in 2010, was at the centre of a chain of events that ultimately led to the IRA ceasefire of 1994 and the Good Friday peace agreement.
Codenamed “Soon” by MI6, he was the key link between then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the IRA during the 1981 republican hunger strikes.
“He knew the value of creating and maintaining trust on all sides”, said Fr Chris Ferguson in his homily.
His role as a mediator helped to “allow the seeds planted through dialogue to produce the peace process”, said Fr Ferguson.
He told mourners that Mr Duddy had led a “life dedicated to working for peace” and never sought “recognition or acknowledgement” for the part he played.
“His sole desire was to provide a safe, secure and peaceful future for his family,” said Fr Ferguson.
“Being a husband and father, Brendan had a vested interest in seeing an end to conflict through real and meaningful negotiations.”
Mr Duddy also “possessed the determination and persistence” required to create the “opportunity for dialogue” between the government and the IRA, added Fr Ferguson.
“Brendan worked hard at creating trust, ensuring there would be no disclosures which could have harmed the building of relationships.
“Brendan had a great ability to think outside the box which was so necessary in the infancy of the political discussions in which he was involved.
“He possessed an intuitive ability to understand people.
“Once the talking had started, Brendan knew his job was done.”
BBC journalist Peter Taylor who interviewed Mr Duddy in 2008 said he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in helping to secure peace.
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