Irish News owner Jim Fitzpatrick dies 

Jim Fitzpatrick, chairman of daily newspaper The Irish News, has died.

Mr Fitzpatrick, who was 92, had owned the Belfast newspaper since the early 1980s.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin expressed his sadness at the death of Mr Fitzpatrick.

Mr Martin said he had the "great privilege" of knowing Mr Fitzpatrick for many years and that added that he was "in every respect, a true gentleman".

"In his decades-long stewardship of The Irish News, he was a profoundly important advocate for an end to violence in the north," Mr Martin added.

"His role in the earliest days of the embryonic peace process is not widely known, but it was crucial.

"In his support for and leadership of the Chamber of Commerce in Belfast, he brought together people from all backgrounds in common constructive cause and was an example of true civic leadership.

"In his quiet and ceaseless philanthropy over a lifetime, his generosity has left its stamp all across Belfast and further afield."

'Strong stewardship'

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Mr Fitzpatrick was "one of the giants of news in Ireland".

"During the most difficult periods of our recent past, Jim was fearlessly devoted to telling the stories of ordinary people who had suffered the most extraordinary loss and he did it without favour, even when it meant putting himself at odds with the men of violence," the Foyle MP added.

He was a man committed to the truth, to fairness and to peace on our island.

"His strong stewardship of the Irish News and his absolute belief in the primacy of democracy and the principles of non-violence contributed in an inestimable way to the peace we enjoy today."

Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry said: "Jim Fitzpatrick was a giant in the NI media and the wider community over many decades. I always enjoyed talking with him."