Sir, - It was with deep regret that Tr≤caire learned of the death of Donald Woods, a man committed to justice in Ireland as well as in his native South Africa.
Much of his work in apartheid South Africa was in supporting a free press, which he saw as essential to the struggle. After the dismantling of apartheid and the accession to power of the ANC, his commitment to the honesty and integrity of journalism remained. He feared that the emergence of a truly free and independent press would be compromised under a new regime. In this, he was a credit to his profession.
Writing to Tr≤caire in 1998 to mark the agency's 25th anniversary, Mr Woods said the training of new African journalists was "essential to the continuation of the present transition process, and for the future development of a healthy civil society in our new democracy".
Tr≤caire's partnership with this anti-apartheid activist dates back nearly 25 years. In 1977, as editor of the Daily Dispatch, Mr Woods launched Tr≤caire's education pack on his country. He later asked Tr≤caire to provide him with a typewriter, on which he wrote his book on Steve Biko which was later turned into Richard Attenborough's acclaimed film Cry Freedom. In 1983, he attended Tr≤caire's 10th anniversary celebrations and delivered our annual Maynooth lecture - just one of hundreds of speeches he delivered after he fled South Africa. Over the years, Tr≤caire funded his training work with young journalists.
He was very fond of Ireland and took part in a number of reconciliation projects in the North. The last time we met was at an arts centre in Armagh last year when he was in Northern Ireland to meet and encourage groups working to promote reconciliation.
Mr Woods's belief in justice, the personal sacrifices he made as an expression of solidarity with the oppressed, and his untiring commitment to his profession were an inspiration to a generation of journalists and activists. May he rest in peace. - Yours, etc.,
Justin Kilcullen, Director, Tr≤caire, Blackrock, Co Dublin.