Vets tribute to Lord Ballyedmond
The British Veterinary Association has paid tribute to Lord Ballyedmond, the Tory peer and pharmaceuticals magnate.
Better known for much of his career as Dr Edward Haughey, he died in a helicopter crash last week aged 70.
One of Northern Ireland's richest men, he founded Norbrook Laboratories in the province – its specialist work on veterinary medicines is renowned across the world.
BVAPresident Robin Hargreaves said the peer had been a
BVAhonorary associate member since 2004.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Lord Ballyedmond,” he said.
“He has been a great supporter of the veterinary profession and of
BVA, and made an enormous contribution to veterinary medicine.
“He built opportunity for thousands of people in Northern Ireland and around the world and had a huge commercial and industrial presence throughout my whole career. Above all Lord Ballyedmond was a family man and all our thoughts are with his wife and children at this time.”
On Thursday night a privately-owned Agusta Westland AW139 aircraft came down in thick fog in a field near Lord Ballyedmond's Norfolk estate.
Three others were killed in the crash: Norbrook site foreman Declan Small and pilots Captain Carl Dickerson and Captain Lee Hoyle.
Prime minister David Cameron has also paid his own tribute.
"Lord Ballyedmond was a towering figure in Northern Irish business life, and passionate about peace and good relations north and south, east and west,” he said.
"He was a larger than life figure who was a great supporter of the Conservative party and a good friend to me."
Lord Ballyedmond was one of a handful of people to have served in both the House of Lords and the Irish Senate.
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