The family of Canada\u2019s General John de Chastelain, who oversaw IRA decommissioning during the Northern peace process, say he is \u201cin good health and spirits\u201d following reports that said the 88-year-old had died.<\/p>\n
Erroneous reports of the retired general\u2019s death had emerged in Canada and were circulated in Ireland by people connected with de Chastelain.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Department of Justice<\/a> removed from its website a statement issued on Friday afternoon from Minister for Justice Jim O\u2019Callaghan<\/a>, who had earlier expressed sadness at reports of the general\u2019s death. <\/p>\n 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<\/a> on Good Friday, 1998, which ended the Troubles.<\/p>\n In a statement issued in response to reports of the general\u2019s death, his family said: \u201cIn 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. <\/p>\n \u201cHis family is happy to report General de Chastelain is in good health and spirits.\u201d <\/p>\n In January, a scholarship programme in the retired general\u2019s name was launched to support \u201ca new generation of scholars, researchers and practitioners committed to peace, reconciliation and deepening connections between Ireland and Canada\u201d.<\/p>\n