POPULAR community leader Paul Butler, best-known for representing Colin and Lagan Valley in both Lisburn City Coucil and at Stormont, passed away suddenly this evening.
Friends say he took ill at home after being out for a walk.
A former Long Kesh prisoner, who once escaped briefly from Magiligan Camp prison, Paul was most recently a case worker with Relatives for Justice and helped countless victims of state violence in their fight for justice. He retired from RFJ in June of this year.
MOURNED: With the late Michael Ferguson at Lisburn Council in 2005
A friend of Bobby Sands — both hailed from Rathcoole — he campaigned fearlessly against a loyalist campaign of harassment against Catholics in the Stoneyford area. Despite death threats and attacks on his home, he successfully defended Catholics in the area and saw off loyalist gangs behind the campaign of intimidation. That stance ultimately resulted in an influx of nationalists into the area.
ELECTED REP: Replacing Westminster election posters torn down outside Dunmurry police station in 2003
Paul Butler served on Lisburn Borough Council between 1997 until 2011. He was elected to the Assembly in 2007 winning an historic first seat for Sinn Féin in the strongly unionist Lagan Valley constituency.
Paying tribute this evening, West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said: “It is incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Pól de Buitléir.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, comrades and colleagues at this very difficult time.
“Pól was a dedicated activist throughout his life. An ex-prisoner, he served as a councillor representing the people of Colin on Lisburn Council at a time when it was not safe to be an elected representative.
“He was the first Sinn Féin MLA for Lagan Valley.
“In more recent years, Pól dedicated 15 years to supporting victims’ families through Relatives for Justice, only retiring from the organisation earlier this year.
“His life was rooted in activism, solidarity and a deep commitment to supporting others. He leaves behind a legacy of service to his community and to those who needed a voice and support.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Relatives for Justice have also paid tribute to Paul, who worked with the victims' group for 15 years up until his retirement in June.
In a statement RFJ said: "Relatives for Justice is heartbroken today after learning of the untimely passing of our colleague and friend Pól Butler.
"Pól supported families in RFJ for over 15 years working with them to recover memory, seek information and secure justice. He was renowned for his care, diligence and gentle guidance.
"Pól dealt with every case in forensic detail and facts, his exceptional filing systems remains one of his many legacies. He brought a depth of knowledge and understanding from his political life to his work in trauma recovery.
"At his retirement he spoke of how he would miss the work and families, many of whom became friends, in fact he continued supporting many relatives, which was a mark of his dedication.
DEDICATED: Paul Butler on his retirement in June with Irati Oleaga and Mark Thompson from Relatives For Justice
"For his friends and colleagues in RFJ this is a great shock. While Pól marked his 70th birthday this year he was an exemplar in daily exercise, going to the gym and eating healthy, often scolding the rest of us if and when we indulged in sweet treats.
"He brought seriousness and dedication to the work, but also commitment, good practice and fulsome, generous support to younger members of staff.
"His love of the Irish language, hurling and soccer was backed up by encyclopaedic knowledge of all of those subjects, along with a love of poetry, especially Seamus Heaney.
"While he came from Antrim, it was the Kilkenny hurling team that had his heart, where his father hailed from.
"We can barely believe that we are extending our deepest condolences to his wife Gladys, whom he was so looking forward to travelling and spending his retirement with, and his sister Diane and brothers Michael and Mark.
"I measc laochra na nGael go mbeidh a anam dílis."
