Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, on the death of Sir Brian Urquhart

Statement

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Simon Coveney TD, has expressed his condolences on the death of prominent former United Nations Official, Sir Brian Urquhart.

Brian Urquhart made an important contribution to the establishment of the United Nations, going on to serve five UN Secretaries-General in a career spanning more than forty years, including twelve years as Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs.

"I am saddened by the passing of Sir Brian Urquhart, an exceptionally talented and dedicated United Nations Official. I offer my condolences to his family.

"A former soldier whose commitment to peace making was informed by his experience of war, he played an important role in the development of international peacekeeping, helping to organize the first UN peacekeeping deployment in 1956,  and going on to direct thirteen peacekeeping operations.

"This legacy lives on through the UN’s continuing commitment to peacekeeping, an area of UN policy with which Ireland has been associated for over sixty years."

ENDS

Press Office

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