Debate contribution: Mr Paul Butler: Condolences
Debate contribution by Mr Pat Sheehan on .
- MLA
- Mr Pat Sheehan
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 28 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Assembly Business
- Heading
- Mr Paul Butler: Condolences
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5761659
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I pay tribute to an old friend and comrade Paul Butler — Pól de Buitléir — who died suddenly last week at the age of 70. I first met Paul many years ago — probably in the 1980s — in prison. In many ways, we followed a similar path: when released, we became involved in politics and in helping our communities. Paul first became a councillor on Lisburn Borough Council in 1997. In fact, he became the leader of our group on Lisburn Borough Council, replacing Pádraig Ó Maolchraoibhe — many people will know him as Pat Rice — at a time when it was dangerous to attend the council. Sinn Féin representatives had to travel in armoured cars and wear body armour because of the threat against them. Paul was then elected as a Member of the Assembly in 2007 and served for one term until 2011.
For the past 15 years, he dedicated his time to working with victims through Relatives for Justice, and, over the past days, I have spoken to many people who have commended Paul for the support that he gave to them and the work that he has done for victims' families. Although small in stature, Paul was absolutely committed to everything in which he engaged. I have heard from people who worked with Relatives for Justice that he was totally committed and dedicated to helping families who suffered as a result of the conflict. I pay tribute to Paul. He was a friend and comrade to many people and a popular representative. When he was a councillor and when he was a Member of the Assembly, the praise that he received from people in the community was absolutely amazing. I pass on my condolences to Paul's wife, Gladys, to other members of his family and to those of us in the republican community who knew him, counted him as a friend and loved him.
321 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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