Martin McGuinness dies aged 66

He passed away this morning surrounded by his family.

PA
Published 21st Mar 2017
Last updated 11th Apr 2017

Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness has died aged 66.

Mr McGuinness had been ill for a number of months after being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition last year.

He passed away in Altnagelvin hospital earlier this morning surrounded by his family.

Speaking this morning Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD said:

“Throughout his life Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness.

“He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the re-unification of his country. But above all he loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both.

“On behalf of republicans everywhere we extend our condolences to Bernie, Fiachra, Emmet, Fionnuala and Grainne, grandchildren and the extended McGuinness family."

Tributes to the veteran politician have been pouring in from across the political divide.

This morning Arlene Foster said: "I want to express my sincere condolences, both personally and on behalf of our party, to the McGuinness family upon hearing the news of the passing of Former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

"Today's news will come as a shock to many people.

"History will record differing views and opinions on the role Martin McGuinness played throughout the recent and not so recent past but history will also show that his contribution to the political and peace process was significant.

"He served the people of Northern Ireland as deputy first minister for nearly a decade and was pivotal in bringing the republican movement towards a position of using peaceful and democratic means.

"In recent years his contribution helped build the relative peace we now enjoy. While our differing backgrounds and life experiences inevitably meant there was much to separate us, we shared a deep desire to see the devolved institutions working to achieve positive results for everyone. I know that he believed that the institutions were the basis for building stability.

"Martin faced his illness with courage and, after stepping away from the glare of the public spotlight I sincerely hope he got the chance to enjoy the things he loved.

"My sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with the McGuinness family today and I pray that God will draw near to them and sustain them in the days ahead."

Among the tributes to Martin McGuinness, were more critical comments from victims who said they have been denied justice.

In the wake of the former IRA leader's death the sister of a woman killed by the paramilitary group tweeted a list of atrocities and other victims.

Ann Travers' sister Mary was gunned down and her judge father, Tom Travers, badly injured when they were ambushed by an IRA gang as they emerged from church in Belfast in April 1984.

Ann Travers has since campaigned for victims' rights.

She tweeted a picture of her sister and father, and wrote: "Enniskillen Families, Claudy families, Hegarty family, Gillespie family, Maher family, I'm so sorry you never got the answers you deserved.''

Press Eye

From IRA chief to Deputy First Minister

He was born James Martin Pacelli McGuinness on the 23rd of May 1950.

He joined the Provisional IRA in the late 1960s and by the start of 1972 he was second-in-command in Derry, a position he held at the time of Bloody Sunday.

After 2 periods of imprisonment in the Republic for terrorism offences he became increasingly prominent in Sinn Féin and was involved in secret ceasefire talks with the British government as early as 1972.

Mr McGuinness' first foray into elected politics was winning a seat in the Stormont Assembly in 1982. But like all Sinn Fein members did not take it up. He also never took his seat in Westminster.

He later became Sinn Féin's chief negotiator in the peace process which produced the Good Friday Agreement.

In 1997 he was returned as a member of the new Assembly and became the Education Minister where one of his controversial acts was scrapping the 11-plus exam.

But Mr McGuinness will perhaps best be remembered for his decade spent as Deputy First Minister.

In 2007 His unexpectedly jovial relationship with DUP First Minister Ian Paisley led to comparisons with TV double act the Chuckle brothers.

But there were no signs of similar friendships with the DUP's next two leaders Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster.

Earlier this year his political career came to an end.

Amid the RHI 'Cash for Ash' scandal it was revealed the Sinn Fein Stalwart was suffering from ill health - believed to be a genetic condition. In January he stood down as Deputy First Minister and leader of his party in the North.

Mr McGuinness is survived by his wife Bernadette, his 4 four children and grandchildren.