RTÉ has made special arrangements to ensure Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams can make a televised address tonight.
While Fianna Fáil and the Dáil’s technical group replied to the Taoiseach’s ‘State of the Nation’ address last night, Sinn Féin asked to delay the Louth TD’s statement by 24 hours due to the fact he was out of the country attending the funeral of Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
Deputy Adams will deliver the final televised speech tonight after the Six-One News.
It follows on from the Taoiseach’s address on Sunday, which was replied to by Fianna Fáil’s Micheal Martin and independent TD Shane Ross last night.
This week’s Argus features full coverage of last week’s Smithwick Tribunal report. There’s also stories from locals about meeting former South African president Nelson Mandela and full coverage of the Geraldines’ Leinster Club title success.
All that and more in this week’s Argus… on sale now!
Members of local family band The Corrs have been paying tribute to deceased former South African president Nelson Mandela in recent days.
The band – who hail from Ard Easmuinn – performed for Mandela on a number of occasions, including on his last visit to Ireland at the 2003 Special Olympics World Games.
Commenting on Facebook, Jim Corr posted the video above of Mandela dancing to the Corrs’ music and said: “Rest in peace you wonderful human being.”
The eldest of the family, Jim also described Mandela as “probably the greatest freedom fighter the world has known.”
Meanwhile, sisters Andrea and Caroline Corr told The Sunday Independent that they will never forget spending time with him a decade ago.
“Just meeting him was extraordinary,” recalls Caroline. “I think he took joy out of everything. Actually, he had knowledge of our music and he said how much he enjoyed it. He talked a lot about friendship and kindness.”
“He is truly the most inspiring man to me and I feel beyond lucky and honoured to have been in his presence. It was very moving to sing for him . . . But absolutely joyous at the same time. He danced to our music!,” Andrea says, referring to the famous occasion in Galway in June 2003 when Mandela stood up and bopped to The Corrs performing onstage.
“We very probably played the jig The Joy Of Life. Now that’s when a tune finds its perfect moment! He had such humour in his eyes, joy, as I have said, and love.”
Mandela was guest of honour at The 46664 (a reference to his prison number) Concert in Capetown in November 2003, and he invited The Corrs to play after they had played at his 85th birthday in July in Johannesburg).
“We were invited to stay where he was staying on a ranch close to Johannesburg,” Caroline says. “We did have fun with him. My son Jake had just been born about eight months before and he held Jake when we went to meet him. That was lovely. It was a lovely moment. I have a photograph of Jake with Mandela. I think to meet someone like Mandela in your life time is special.”
I think the biggest message from Mandela was not just that he was such an icon in the anti-apartheid movement but that he came out of prison with reconciliation and no anger. That was incredible after his many years in prison. That was the most powerful thing about him. I think that’s what spoke to people the most. What he achieved was extraordinary,” said Caroline.
Andrea was similarly touched at a deep level by Mandela and by “his unfailing love for, and faith in, humankind even after all he suffered. . . the years that were stolen from him,” she said.
“I think that the biggest thing that I would hope to learn from him would be forgiveness and gratitude for every moment we have here together,” Andrea added.
The Dundalk group The Corrs played for Nelson Mandela on a number of occasions, including his 85th birthday in Johannesburg and at a concert in Galway in 2003, when Mandela stood up and danced to their music
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams will travel to South Africa this week to attend events marking the passing of Nelson Mandela.
Mr Adams was invited to attend the public memorial service in Johannesburg today but is unable to travel until Wednesday due to prior engagements in Ireland.
The Louth TD will depart on Wednesday and has been invited by the ANC to attend a special memorial service on Saturday.
The event will take place at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria, where the ruling party will bid Madiba farewell.
Speaking yesterday Mr Adams said: “We in Sinn Féin are very proud of the decades old relationship we have with our friends in the ANC. It is a great honour to be asked by the ANC to attend their service of remembrance on Saturday where they will bid Madiba farewell.”
Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, in his capacity as deputy First Minister in the North, will also travel to South Africa and will be in attendance at the public memorial service in Johannesburg tomorrow when he will join tens of thousands of South Africans paying tribute to their former President.
Local TD Gerry Adams has paid tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela on his Twitter page.
The Sinn Féin president met Mandela on a number of occasions and this morning described him as a “hero”.
Commenting on the passing of the 95-year-old last night, Deputy Adams said: “I am lucky 2 have met Madiba in Ireland, South Africa & London a good few times. Freedom fighter, Visionary, Hero!”
He also posted the photo above of the pair in one of their meetings.
After news of his passing broke last night, Adams also posted the following message: “Even though news of Madiba’s death was expected my heart slipped@the news of his passing. A great human being. An inspiration. Mandela go deo.”
Talk of the Town 