MARTIN MANSERGH, A key advisor to Fianna Fáil during the peace process, has died aged 78.

The former junior minister passed away while on a visit to Western Sahara with a group of other retired Irish politicians.

A familiar face as an aide to Bertie Ahern during the peace process, Mansergh served as advisor to several Fianna Fáil leaders and later as a senator and TD for Tipperary South.

Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin paid tribute to Mansergh, calling him “unquestionably one of the most important public servants” in Ireland’s recent history.

Martin said Mansergh was devoted to the “cause of peace on our island and throughout Europe”, providing guidance to leaders of Fianna Fáil, both in government and in opposition.

“It is with deep sadness that I learned this morning about the passing of Martin Mansergh during a trip to the Sahara with other retired parliamentarians,” Martin said in a statement.

“I had the honour of knowing Martin for over four decades. He was unquestionably one of the most important public servants in our recent history, filling many different roles and having a profound impact on issues deeply important to the Irish people.”

From left, former senior Fianna Fáil figures Seamus Brennan, Martin Mansergh, Brian Cowen and David Andrews at a press conference about the peace process in 2002. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Martin praised Mansergh for his “indispensable” diplomatic work advising Irish governments during critical moments for the EU.

“One example is his advice during the Irish Presidency of the Council in 1990 which helped secure endorsement of German reunification following the fall of communism,” Martin added.

Deep sadness

Former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams expressed his “deep sadness” at the news, calling Mansergh a key figure in the efforts to build the peace process and the success of the negotiation leading to the Good Friday Agreement.

“He was one of those who met with Sinn Féin in the late 1980s on behalf of Fianna Fáil and we retained a close relationship since then,” Adams said.

“I value very much the numerous engagements that we had and the relationship that we developed as a result of that.”

Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland, also paid tribute to Mansergh today: “It is with sadness that so many will have learned of the death of Dr Martin Mansergh.”

He commended Mansergh’s contributions to the peace process, describing his capacity for detail as of “enormous assistance in the period leading up to the Good Friday Agreement”.

“His advice to politicians, and to the different Taoisigh which he served, and later as a member of the Oireachtas where he represented Tipperary, was always to begin with the facts.”

As well as his professional accolades, Higgins remembered Mansergh’s sense of humour and deep courtesy in Leinster House.

Martin, Adams, Higgins and other politicians sent their condolences to his wife Elizabeth and their five children.

Tipperary

Although he was born in Surrey, England, Mansergh’s father was Co Tipperary-born Irish historian Nicholas Mansergh and he would soon take up a role in his father’s native country after university.

Mansergh obtained a doctorate from Oxford before taking up a role in the Department of Foreign Affairs in the 1970s.

He was recruited into Fianna Fáil and worked for the party thereafter.

This led to him taking on the role of senior adviser to Fianna Fáil leaders including Bertie Ahern. Later, in the 200s, he served as a senator and as a TD for Tipperary South and minister of state.