Martin McGuinness Dies Aged 66

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 described Martin McGuinness as a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the re-unification of his country.

On behalf of the Sinn Féin party Adams said, 

“It is with deep regret and sadness that we have learnt of the death of our friend and comrade Martin McGuinness who passed away in Derry during the night. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him,” said his friend and party president Gerry Adams.

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

“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,” said Mr Adams.

“I measc laochra na nGael go raibh a anam dílis.”

President Higgins also released a statement paying tribute to McGuinness saying, 

“It was with great sadness that I have heard of the passing of Martin McGuinness, and on behalf of Sabina and myself, may I express our deepest sympathy to his wife Bernadette and to his family,” said Mr Higgins.

“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, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland.

“As President of Ireland, I wish to pay tribute to his immense contribution to the advancement of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland - a contribution which has rightly been recognised across all shades of opinion.”

But he said above all he loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both.

The former IRA chief made one of his last public appearances in January when he resigned over the DUP leader's handling of a botched green energy scheme: