Heaney's Ervine tribute auctioned

The tribute was auctioned to raise money for the David Ervine Foundation

A framed handwritten tribute to late Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine by the poet Seamus Heaney has been sold at auction in Belfast.

It was bought for £1,250 by Londonderry businessman Brendan Duddy, who himself played a role in brokering the IRA ceasefire in 1994.

"I got a bargain, an absolute bargain. I am so glad I got it," he said.

Money raised will go to the David Ervine Foundation, set up after his death just over two years ago.

His wife, Jeanette, said Mr Heaney's words were very moving.

"It's a great honour that Seamus Heaney penned these words in tribute to David," she said.

"I think it is wonderful that people still remember David in this way."

The event was held as part of a special event put together by the David Ervine Foundation for the Cathedral Arts Quarter Festival in Belfast.

The tribute, which is signed by the Nobel laureate, reads: "Education, according to the poet Robert Frost, changes the plane of regard - and David Ervine would have agreed.

"He was an exemplary man of our place and our peace, somebody who believed that where there was a right word there was a right way, and acted accordingly."

I probably learned more about David's community and his personal journey than I had ever learned by reading all the shelves of books I have on the so-called Troubles Sir Hugh Orde Legacy transcends city politics

Besides the auction a special memorial speech on the theme, "It's Good to Talk", was given by PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.

Sir Hugh said Mr Ervine had "started out as a UVF terrorist but turned his back on violence during an 11-year sentence for possessing explosives".

"I probably learned more about David's community and his personal journey than I had ever learned by reading all the shelves of books I have on the so-called Troubles."

'Next generation'

Sir Hugh, who is leaving the PSNI later this year to become president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said he had become convinced that the only way to end conflict in an enduring way was through dialogue.

"It seems to me that the next generation has to be the prime focus to ensure they are not seduced by the awful violence against those who exist to protect them," he said.

Referring to the dissident republicans behind the recent murders of two soldiers and a police officer he said: "I know that small numbers of young people are being recruited, they are of course being used by the cowards who run these organisations to do their dirty work and risk decades in prison for a so-called cause they simply don't understand."

A series of grants totalling £36,000 was also distributed to a number of community-based projects at Tuesday night's event.

The David Ervine Foundation was established after his death from a heart attack and stroke in January 2007.

It helps disadvantaged children from Northern Ireland's two main communities.

Mr Ervine, 53, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after he was found guilty of possession of explosives.

After his release in 1980 he joined the Progressive Unionist Party in his native east Belfast and in 1998 became an assembly member as its leader.

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