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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Death of Sinn Fein assembly man | Death of Sinn Fein assembly man |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| West Belfast Sinn Fein assembly member Michael Ferguson has died suddenly, the party has said. | West Belfast Sinn Fein assembly member Michael Ferguson has died suddenly, the party has said. |
| Mr Ferguson, 53, who was also a councillor in Lisburn, had been treated for testicular cancer. | Mr Ferguson, 53, who was also a councillor in Lisburn, had been treated for testicular cancer. |
| The father-of-four was diagnosed with the disease two months ago and had undergone a course of chemotherapy. | The father-of-four was diagnosed with the disease two months ago and had undergone a course of chemotherapy. |
| Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said: "No one who met Michael could fail to see his passion for life and determination." | |
| Mr Adams extended his sympathies to Mr Ferguson's family adding: "Despite his illness, Michael's death will come as a great shock to the many people who knew and respected him." | Mr Adams extended his sympathies to Mr Ferguson's family adding: "Despite his illness, Michael's death will come as a great shock to the many people who knew and respected him." |
| Mr Ferguson died on Sunday night. | Mr Ferguson died on Sunday night. |
| He had spoken about his illness to the Irish News newspaper last week. The article was published in Monday's edition. | He had spoken about his illness to the Irish News newspaper last week. The article was published in Monday's edition. |
| He told the paper: "Men are neglectful of their own health and do not visit their doctors. | He told the paper: "Men are neglectful of their own health and do not visit their doctors. |
| "I was squeamish, embarrassed and shy about going to the doctor and asking him to examine my testicles." | "I was squeamish, embarrassed and shy about going to the doctor and asking him to examine my testicles." |
| Mr Ferguson, who was elected to the assembly in 2003, said he became aware he was unwell last September. | Mr Ferguson, who was elected to the assembly in 2003, said he became aware he was unwell last September. |
| "I went to my GP and was told I was OK. It would take another nine months and a return visit to the doctor before the cancer was found," he said. | "I went to my GP and was told I was OK. It would take another nine months and a return visit to the doctor before the cancer was found," he said. |
| Mr Ferguson had been a councillor for the last 18 years. | Mr Ferguson had been a councillor for the last 18 years. |
| 'Colourful character' | |
| SDLP Lisburn councillor Patricia Lewsley said she was saddened by Mr Ferguson's death. | |
| "Michael was a colourful character who will be missed by many members of the political family," she said. | |
| "He was honest and straight-forward and I can truly say that he was somebody I could always work well with on bread and butter issues despite our considerable political differences." | |
| Ulster Unionist assembly member Billy Bell extended his sympathies to Mr Ferguson's family. | |
| "From our time on Lisburn Borough Council I knew Michael to be not only an energetic political opponent, but more importantly he was a dedicated family man. | |
| "Michael's brave decision to go public in a bid to raise awareness over the nature of his illness also says much about his personal qualities," Mr Bell said. | |
| Frank Bunting, the northern secretary of the Irish National Teachers'Organisation, also paid tribuite to Mr Ferguson. | |
| "He was a committed campaigner to progressive educational causes, but the interests of children were always his central motivation," Mr Bunting said. | |
| "He will be sadly missed by all his friends in the education community." |