The Workers Party has expressed its sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Dr Éamon Phoenix .

Dr Éamon Phoenix made a great contribution to public life in Northern Ireland over many decades.

He brought a calm and reasoned voice to public discourse, rooted in an extensive knowledge of the historical archive, challenging the often divisive and dangerous myths perpetuated by unionists and nationalists.

As an educator, he taught generations about history at both secondary and tertiary level, influencing many to pursue the subject further. He had a particular skill in community education and outreach, bringing to life forgotten parts of our history, including the history of the working class.

His own research made a major contribution to our understanding of a crucial period of Irish history, and of the peculiar dynamics of Belfast and Northern Ireland.

His contribution will be missed, and public life is the poorer for his passing. We offer our condolences to his family and friends.