Amnesty International is deeply saddened at news of the death of Seamus Heaney, announced today in Dublin.

Seamus Heaney was a long-standing supporter of Amnesty International. He wrote the well-known poem, From the Republic of Conscience, for the organisation in 1985.

Mr Heaney had written for and spoken at many Amnesty International events since and was due to speak at Amnesty International's annual Ambassador of Conscience Award - named after his poem - next month in Dublin.

Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland Programme Director of Amnesty International, said:

“Amnesty International expresses its deepest sympathies to the family of Seamus Heaney.

“Seamus Heaney, by his words and actions, spoke not just to people in Ireland but across the world.

“Through the beauty and elegance of his writing, Seamus Heaney reminded us of the bonds which unite and our duty to uphold the dignity of all.

“Ireland has lost a legendary man of letters. The world has lost a towering giant of humanity.”