Brian Keenan Dies, Aged 66

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said of his passing. "Brian Keenan was a good friend and gifted and steadfast republican.

He made an incalculable contribution to the republican struggle.

Brain will be greatly missed by his family and friends and by the many republicans who over the years have been touched by his generosity, friendship, and humor."

Keenan, 66, joined the IRA around 1970 and eventually became quartermaster of the Belfast brigade.

Keenan also spent 16 years in prison in jails in England for his IRA activities.

He was once described by Tony Blair's Chief of Staff at 10 Downing Street, Jonathan Powell, as "the single biggest threat to the British state".

Keenan had joined the IRA in 1968 and quickly moved up the ranks becoming heavily involved in the organization in England.

"The IRA leadership knew we could not defeat the British Army militarily but we could bring them to a point where they knew they could not defeat the IRA," he told An Phoblacht earlier this year.

"We aimed to exhaust their patience through war in the Six Counties and subsequently the campaign in England.

"You have to be able to bring the struggle to their front door."

Although committed to the use of weapons as a means to achieving ends, Keenan was also aware that a separate strategy may also have to be introduced and worked. Following the IRA cease fire and the setting up of a devolved administration in Belfast last May, Keenan commented.

"I would prefer we were somewhere else but we are not and that is it as far as I am concerned.

"Revolutionaries have to be pragmatic - wish lists are for Christmas.

"At a time of great change we need to constantly lay out the republican vision. We need to constantly remind people we are for 'equality, liberty, fraternity'.

"We are against exploitation and inequality.

"Historians in 50 years' time will tell us whether the right path was chosen or not.

"Of course mistakes have been made along the way, but we have to look to the opportunities that are there to move the struggle forward to reunification and independence."

Gerry Adams said Keenan had accepted Sinn Fein's taking part in the peace process and that Keenan had been persuasive among the IRA members to reach a settlment..

"He got his head around the peace process...and the need to more forward to a different phase," Adams said.

"He then used his considerable influence to persuade others that the course that Sinn Fein was setting was the course to follow."