Former Northern Ireland deputy leader Martin McGuinness dies
Martin McGuinness: Picture credit - Sinn Féin Flickr
Former deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness has died aged 66 after battling with a rare incurable disease.
The senior Sinn Fein politician was rushed into hospital two weeks ago - just two months after announcing his retirement from politics.
The former Provisional IRA commander was instrumental in negotiating the peace process in the 90s after serving two prison sentences in the early 70s for IRA activities.
He later worked at the heart of the power sharing agreement in Northern Ireland after the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
He became deputy first minister in 2007 but dramatically resigned last month in protest at an energy scandal that has engulfed the DUP.
His resignation led to fresh elections in Northern Ireland, in which Sinn Fein, under new deputy leader Michelle O’Neil made significant gains.
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams tweeted a song for his former colleague and a saying in Irish language which translates as: “Among heroes of Gael had a faithful soul.”
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