Northern Ireland

Tributes paid to 'real friend of Ireland' John McCain

Former US presidential candidates John McCain has died aged 81
Former US presidential candidates John McCain has died aged 81 Former US presidential candidates John McCain has died aged 81

FORMER US presidential candidate John McCain has been described as a “real friend of Ireland”.

Mr McCain died aged 81 on Saturday at his ranch in Arizona after a battle with brain cancer.

In 2008 the former senator ran for president but was defeated by Barack Obama.

During the Vietnam war he was held as a prisoner for more than five years after his plane was shot down.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last night said "on behalf of the people of Ireland, I extend my deepest sympathies on the death of Senator John McCain, a wise and remarkable statesman, US ally of Ireland and a proud Scots Irishman who was a champion for immigration reform in the US Senate”.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney also described him as "a great American of strength, principle and courag,”.

“John McCain was a real friend of Ireland too and will be missed by so many."

Tributes were also paid by world leaders including British Prime Minister Theresa May.