Former Irish foreign minister David Andrews dies at 91

David Andrews, a former Irish foreign affairs minister and a key figure in the negotiation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, has died at the age of 91. His death was announced on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, prompting tributes from across the political spectrum.

Andrews served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown constituency from 1965 until his retirement in 2002, a career spanning nearly four decades. He held several senior government positions, including government chief whip in the early 1970s and, in the 1990s, minister for defence and the marine, a role he humorously called "fish and ships." He served twice as minister for foreign affairs, from 1992 to 1993 and again from 1997 to 2000.

His tenure as foreign affairs minister coincided with the pivotal negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. He was widely respected for his integrity and directness, qualities that were noted as crucial in building trust with unionist politicians during the peace talks.

Beyond his work on the peace process, Andrews was a lifelong advocate for human rights. He campaigned vigorously for the release of the...