Alliance Leader Naomi Long has expressed her condolences after the passing of Pat Hume was announced on Thursday evening.

She added: “This is extremely sad news tonight and my thoughts are with the Hume family and their SDLP colleagues.

“Pat Hume was an absolute lady, warm and friendly and always encouraging to others to make their voices heard.

“Her dedication to peace was total, as was her dedication to John, especially in his latter years, when Michael and I would often see them in Greencastle.

“It was a life well lived and we all owe a debt of gratitude for her commitment to delivering peace in Northern Ireland.”