TRIBUTES have been paid to the Derry loyalist who helped smash Northern Ireland's first power-sharing government before undertaking a "journey towards reconciliation".
Glenn Barr (75), who died at Altnagelvin Hospital yesterday, was a former 'brigadier' of the Ulster Defence Association in Derry and north Antrim.
As de facto leader of the Ulster Workers’ Council strike in 1974, he played a key role in collapsing the fledgling Sunningdale power-sharing executive in the face of huge unionist and loyalist opposition.
From Derry’s Waterside, his entry to politics came through his opposition to calls for workers to join protests organised by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights’ Association.
As well as being a UDA leader, which saw him visit Libya for talks with Colonel Gaddafi, he became a leading member of the Ulster Vanguard Party and advocated establishing an independent Northern Ireland.
However, he left active politics to establish a youth training organisation in Derry.
Mr Barr’s appointment as a member of the Parades Commission in 1998 was widely condemned by nationalist leaders because of his UDA connections.
He left the commission later the same year over its decision to restrict an Apprentice Boys’ parade along Belfast’s Lower Ormeau Road.
In later years, he worked with former Fine Gael junior minister Paddy Harte for recognition for southern nationalists who fought in World War I.
The two men were instrumental in establishing the Irish Peace Park in tribute to fallen Irish Volunteers and Ulster Volunteers.
The park at Messines in Belguim was opened in 1998 by Queen Elizabeth and then president Mary McAleese.
Sinn Féin Foyle MP Elisha McCallion said she was saddened by news of Mr Barr's death.
She said: “He was on a journey towards reconciliation, a journey we must all continue.”
DUP East Derry MP Gregory Campbell said he was a tireless campaigner and cross-community worker and was “his own man”.
He said: “If Glennie took a decision about something, if either a government department or a civil servant or people in politics disagreed with whatever his decision, his response was ‘Well I’ll do it myself then'.
"He was a great guy and he will be very sadly missed.”
