NI Conservatives’ co-chairmen, Irwin Armstrong and Trevor Ringland, have expressed their shock at the death of Northern Irish Conservative peer, Lord Ballyedmond, who was one of four people killed in a helicopter crash in Norfolk.
“Everyone in the Conservative family in Northern Ireland is shocked and saddened at Lord Ballyedmond’s death”, Irwin said. “I’d like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and all of those closest to him. He was a valued colleague and a strong supporter of the party in Northern Ireland. Only 6 weeks ago we had dinner with him and he was due to co-host a reception at the House of Lords, to highlight the work of the party locally, in under a fortnight’s time.”
Trevor Ringland described Lord Ballyedmond as a “colossus of industry in Northern Ireland”.
“He was an inspiration for local entrepreneurs and his company, Norbrook, represented the best of what Northern Ireland’s private sector has to offer”, Trevor said. “Edward Haughey built a work-class, hi-tech business, which provided well-paid jobs in the community. We need more people like him in our society. It’s desperately sad to learn of his untimely death. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at such a difficult time. He is a huge loss to the business community and to the Conservative Party.”