The former chief-of-staff of the Provisional IRA, Sean MacStiofain, has died in hospital aged 73 after a long illness.
He headed the republican paramilitary group after its split from the Official IRA at the start of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Born John Edward Drayton Stephenson in east London, his adoption of an Irish name and republican ideals is attributed to the influence of his mother, who said she was a native a Belfast.
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said: "Sean MacStiofain will be missed by republicans everywhere. He played a leading role throughout his life in the struggle for social justice and a united Ireland.
''Those of us who were privileged to know him will mourn his passing deeply.''
MacStiofain was part of a delegation of the IRA leadership which travelled to London in 1972 for talks with the then Northern Ireland Secretary, William Whitelaw.
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