Northern Ireland

Funeral to be held today for prominent public figure and Enniskillen bomb survivor Gerry Burns

Gerry Burns, left, pictured with the late Martin McGuinness. He was the author of the Burns report into secondary education in Northern Ireland. Picture by Hugh Russell
Gerry Burns, left, pictured with the late Martin McGuinness. He was the author of the Burns report into secondary education in Northern Ireland. Picture by Hugh Russell Gerry Burns, left, pictured with the late Martin McGuinness. He was the author of the Burns report into secondary education in Northern Ireland. Picture by Hugh Russell

THE funeral will take place today of a prominent public figure who survived the 1987 Enniskillen bombing.

Gerry Burns, former chief executive of Fermanagh district council, passed away at South West Acute Hospital on Tuesday following a short illness. He was 85.

Mr Burns, originally from the Falls Road area of west Belfast, has been described as a "great public servant and worker for reconciliation".

He served as chief executive at Fermanagh district council between 1976 and 1996 and went on to hold a number of other roles, from Northern Ireland Ombudsman to Pro Chancellor of Ulster University.

He was the author of the Burns Report into secondary education in Northern Ireland, after he was tasked with the role by then minister for education Martin McGuinness.

Mr Burns was also a member of The Irish Times board and a governor of The Irish Times Trust from 1997 to 2007.

He came to prominence during his time at Fermanagh District Council when he narrowly escaped death as he stood at the war memorial during the 1987 Remembrance Sunday service.

An IRA bomb exploded killing 12 people and leaving more than 60 injured.

Mr Burns would have normally stood where Gordon Wilson and his daughter Marie (20) were standing that day.

But, running late for the service, he had to stand at a different location. The force of the blast killed Ms Wilson and injured her father.

In the days after the bombing, Mr Burns helped in the preparations for the funerals and he later went on to be a founding member of the Spirit of Enniskillen Trust, which worked to foster a spirit of reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Tributes were last night paid to Mr Burns, a father-of-five, following his death.

Journalist Martin O'Brien wrote on Twitter that he was "deeply saddened" and described Mr Burns as a "great public servant and worker for reconciliation".

"Falls Road man and adopted son of Fermanagh where he worked wonders as council clerk. Dear friend," he said.

Tony Gallagher from Queen's University Belfast, also said: "I remember vividly working with Gerry on the post primary review and the Burns Report (2001).

"He was deeply committed to public service and a very good man."

Denzil McDaniel, former editor of the Impartial Reporter, said: "Very sad to hear of the passing of my good friend Gerry Burns, former clerk of Fermanagh council and NI Ombudsman.

"Great man who did so much for our county."

Requiem Mass will be celebrated today at St Michael's Church, Enniskillen at 11am followed by burial in Cross Cemetery.