Part of John Hume’s greatness was his empathy with the people he grew up with in Derry. He gave away his Nobel Prize money. He established the credit union in his hometown.  In a way the trait is a very Derry thing. Nell Mc Cafferty, Bishop Edward Daly, Eamonn McCann, Martin McGuinness and Dana Rosemary Scallon all had versions of it. Add to that line-up Damien Quigley. If Ireland had an Honours List system, he would be entitled to recognition. But he is the (almost) unknown soldier who has done life-changing work for his fellow members of the Defence Forces. …

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