Martin McGuinness has died at the age of 66.
He had stepped down as Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister in January and had been unwell for several months.
He was a former member of the IRA’s army council and worked as Sinn Fein’s chief negotiator during the peace process.
Paying tribute this morning, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams desribed martin mcguinness as a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the re-unification of his country.
But he said above all he loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both.
Mr Mc Guinness made one of his last public appearances in January, when he resigned over the DUP leader’s handling of a botched green energy scheme……………
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has expressed his deepest sympathies to Martin McGuinness’s wife Bernie and four children, Grainne, Fionnuala, Fiachra and Emmet.
The Foyle MLA said Mr Mc Guinness’s journey from paramilitarism to peace was a hallmark of the transformative effect of the peace process.
President Michael D Higgins says he learnt the news this morning with great sadness.
He says the’ world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process’, commended his ‘immense contribution’ to the advancement of peace and reconsiliation.
Martin McGuinness was a fellow candidate in the 2011 Presidential election in which saw Michael D Higgins elected – and he says he and his wife Sabina appreciated Martin McGuinness’ warmth and his unfailing courtesy.
President Higgins says his death leaves a gap that will be difficult to fill.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has described Martin McGuinness this morning as a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country.
Above all he said Martin McGiunness loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both – Gerry Adams says he’ll be sorely missed by all who knew him.
DUP leader Arlene Foster – who was First Minister at the time of Martin McGuinness’s resignation, says her thoughts and prayers are with Mr McGuinness’s wife and the family circle, and described him as having been pivotal in bringing the republican movement towards a position of using peaceful and democratic means.
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