26/09/2008

Reynolds Honoured Amid New York Controversy

Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds has received an award in New York for his work on the Northern Ireland Peace Process.

The Flax Trust honoured Mr Reynolds for his leadership, integrity, statesmanship and commitment during his time as Irish leader from 1992 to 1994.

Mr Reynolds co-signed the Downing Street Declaration, which is widely seen as the forerunner of the Good Friday Agreement, with British Prime Minister John Major in December 1993.

However, the same US event also saw controversy when a senior DUP member refused to jointly accept a peace award alongside a leading Sinn Fein politican, on foot of his appearance in a BBC NI TV programme on the Maze escape this week.

Stormont Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson was due to accept the trophy - but after the programme chronicling the 1983 Maze prison mass escape and the associated death of a prison officer - he announced he would not be taking part in the handover ceremony alongside his fellow Junior Minister, Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly.

The evening was Co-Operation Ireland's major fundraising and publicity event for the year, attended by nearly 300 prominent guests.

Also speaking at the event was former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who is a new member of the Board of Directors of Co-operation Ireland.

Shaun Woodward, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, also participated in the programme of events.

See: BBC 'Maze Escape' Prompts US Controversy

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