Joe Cahill dead at 84

Cahill was a founding member of the Provisional IRA, its chief of staff, life vice president of Sinn Fein, and the nearest thing to a father figure that modern republicanism has had. His life was dedicated to the cause of a united Ireland, whether through force of arms or the peace process. President Clinton’s decision to grant him a visa in 1994 is widely regarded as having put the seal on the IRA ceasefire.
Gerry Adams, president of Sinn Fein, said in a tribute that Cahill “was an unapologetic physical-force republican who fought when he felt that was the only option but also stood for peace and was a champion of the Sinn F