The death has taken place of the Sinn Féin Assembly member for West Belfast, Michael Ferguson, at the age of 53.
Last week, Mr Ferguson agreed to give an interview to the Irish News in which he spoke of his battle with testicular cancer and said he was optimistic that the illness was treatable.
The interview, which was published this morning, sought to draw attention to what is a common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 45.
Mr Ferguson, who was Sinn Féin's Education Spokesman, died at his home last night.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has expressed his deep sympathies to Mr Ferguson's wife, Louise, their four children and his wider family circle.
