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Ervine's sons moved by tributes Ervine's sons moved by tributes
(about 2 hours later)
The family of David Ervine, who died on Monday, say they have taken great comfort from the cross-community tributes paid to the PUP leader.The family of David Ervine, who died on Monday, say they have taken great comfort from the cross-community tributes paid to the PUP leader.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his death, Mr Ervine's sons Mark and Owen said they were overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy.Speaking publicly for the first time since his death, Mr Ervine's sons Mark and Owen said they were overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy.
"I never fully understood just how much he had done to help people," said Mark."I never fully understood just how much he had done to help people," said Mark.
"When it's your time to go, it's your time to go, but people live to 100 and don't do half what my dad did.""When it's your time to go, it's your time to go, but people live to 100 and don't do half what my dad did."
He added: "The tributes that have come in have just blown me out of the water.He added: "The tributes that have come in have just blown me out of the water.
David Ervine became Progressive Unionist leader in 2002"The hospital staff were brilliant, and everything was done to help my dad in every possible way." "The hospital staff were brilliant, and everything was done to help my dad in every possible way."
Meanwhile, a minute's silence held for Mr Ervine before a soccer match has been disrupted by a group of Cliftonville fans.
It happened before Tuesday night's County Antrim Shield semi-final between Cliftonville and Glentoran at the Oval.
Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers, who was at the match, said: "Most people were shocked because the vast majority of people in the stadium observed it without any problem whatsoever."
Mr Ervine died in hospital on Monday, a day after suffering a heart attack, stroke and brain haemorrhage.Mr Ervine died in hospital on Monday, a day after suffering a heart attack, stroke and brain haemorrhage.