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Sat 05 May 2004Visionary leader of development communityNiall Tóibín Niall Tóibín, who has died aged 44, was a leading member of Ireland's development NGO community. His work took him to Africa, Asia and Latin America, and he had first-hand experience of war and famine. He served for many years on the Irish Aid Advisory Committee. In addition, he distinguished himself at a very young age as a top-class international bridge player.Justin Kilcullen, the director of Trócaire, described him as "a visionary leader with a sharp strategic analysis of development issues, a keen understanding of the prevailing geopolitical landscape, a deep compassion for the plight of the poor and oppressed and a passion for social justice, particularly in his beloved Africa, where he lived for nearly 10 years".