THE life of a prominent Co Armagh undertaker who was a secret Drumcree peace-broker is revealed for the first time in a new book.
A Matter of Life and Death, written by journalist Ivan Little, looks at Ian Milne's role as a mediator behind-the-scenes in the contentious Orange Order parade in his native Portadown.
It reveals his extraordinary life as a mediator, policeman and prison officer and records his personal highs and lows, including how he was sexually abused as a child and later came close to taking his own life.
Until now little has been divulged about Mr Milne's attempts to find a solution to the impasse over the parade through the nationalist Garvaghy Road area.
But the book tells of how his work as a mediator brought him into regular contact with both sides in the Drumcree stand-off and how he sought to arrange meetings for the Orange Order with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.
The book reveals he shuttled between the two sides with a series of proposals, one of which was to have leaders from both communities over to his house for a meal.
He also reveals how during the stand-off, he persuaded loyalist Billy Wright, with the help of a unionist politician, to abandon plans to kill a police officer.
Speaking to the Irish News last night, Mr Milne said "between us all, we saved lives".
Just how much he accomplished is reflected in the praise for Mr Milne, which is documented in the book, from Portadown Orangemen, Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition as well as churchmen and business leaders.
Globally-renowned South African mediator Brian Currin who forged a close friendship with him also lauds him in a foreword to the book.
It also looks at Mr Milne joining the RUC in 1979. Harrowingly he speaks about how, aged just 11, he was abused by a man he had trusted - a man who has never been brought to justice.
"I was hurting badly from the sexual abuse I suffered," he said last night.
"I knew I wanted to help others and I joined the RUC to try and do that."
The book also reveals his direct links to then British Prime Minister Tony Blair who later asked him to organise the funeral of a Chinese woman who had been brutally murdered by sex traffickers in Belfast.
But recalling some of his darkest days, Mr Milne tells of how he almost took his own life in the midst of a financial crisis that nearly crippled his funeral business.
He said last night: "I thought there were no options, but there are doors that can be opened.
"If anything comes from this book, it's that people will know that there are always options out there.
"I hope that it helps someone, that it gives them hope to reach out or someone can reach out to them."
A Matter of Life and Death will be available from Amazon.
