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A former high-ranking MI6 officer who acted as an intermediary between the Government and the IRA during the Troubles has died.
Michael Oatley passed away on Monday aged 90 at his home in England following a long illness.
Mr Oatley developed a secret channel of communication with the Provisional IRA leadership which, after 20 years, finally resulted in the 1994 ceasefire.
He had the ability to develop a range of contacts within the republican movement in a short space of time in his role as an MI6 officer.
While not engaged with Northern Ireland, Mr Oatley held a variety of senior roles within MI6, including directing operations in the Middle East during the 1980s and directing counter-terrorism operations.