The family of Canada’s General John de Chastelain, who oversaw IRA decommissioning during the Northern peace process, say he is “in good health and spirits” following reports that said the 88-year-old had died.
Erroneous reports of the retired general’s death had emerged in Canada and were circulated in Ireland by people connected with de Chastelain.
News of his death was reported by The Irish Times and other Irish media on Friday. Tributes were paid to the peace negotiator by senior Irish figures in politics and diplomacy.
The Department of Justice removed from its website a statement issued on Friday afternoon from Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, who had earlier expressed sadness at reports of the general’s death.
De Chastelain played a key role in the peace process, acting as chairman of Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and being a key mediator in the talks that led to the signing of the Belfast Agreement on Good Friday, 1998, which ended the Troubles.
In a statement issued in response to reports of the general’s death, his family said: “In keeping with the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, General de Chastelain attended Good Friday Service this morning in Ottawa along with his wife, Mary Ann.
“His family is happy to report General de Chastelain is in good health and spirits.”
In January, a scholarship programme in the retired general’s name was launched to support “a new generation of scholars, researchers and practitioners committed to peace, reconciliation and deepening connections between Ireland and Canada”.
At the launch of the programme, de Chastelain described his work in Northern Ireland as “the most important and fulfilling of my life”.