Mcguinness tributes as city prepares for farewell
Leaders unite ahead of his funeral today
POLITICAL leaders yesterday paid tribute to Martin Mcguinness’ contribution to the peace process as preparations got under way for a huge funeral in Derry today.
At a special session of the Stormont Assembly, Mr Mcguinness’ Sinn Fein successor Michelle O’neill paid an emotional tribute while Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster acknowledged the North would “never see his like again”. In Derry, well-wishers queued outside the Mcguinness family home in his beloved Bogside to pay their respects. Ms O’neill told the Assembly her heart was broken yet bursting with pride. She said: “The legacy that Martin wished was for a better future based on equality and measured by the joy and laughter of all of our children. “So on behalf of Sinn Fein I rededicate our party to completing his life’s work and to living through his legacy.” Mrs Foster said Mr Mcguinness’ legacy was “complex and challenging”. She added his death was “hugely difficult” for victims of the IRA but said to many nationalists and republicans he was a “leader, friend or mentor”. She added: “It is precisely because of his past, because of his involvement with the IRA in the 70s and 80s, because of his influence within those circles that he was able to play the role he played in bringing the republican movement towards using peaceful and democratic means and, because of all of that, I doubt we will ever see his like again.” British Prime Minister Theresa May told Parliament she could never condone the EX-IRA commander’s violent past but she credited his “indispensable” role in moving the republican movement away from violence. Reflecting on the 66-year-old’s death at Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons, Ms May said: “Of course, we do not condone or justify the path he took in the earlier part of his life, and we should never forget that, nor the victims of terrorism. “However, as my noble friend Lord Trimble set out yesterday, he played an indispensable role in bringing the republican movement away from violence to peaceful and democratic means and to building a better Northern Ireland.” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn added: “Martin played an immeasurable role in bringing about peace in Northern Ireland, and it’s that peace we all want to endure.” A number of high-profile guests are expected at Requiem Mass today with the North’s Secretary James Brokenshire attending as the UK Government’s representative with former US President Bill Clinton also travelling to Derry.