Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, former deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, has died aged 66.
The former IRA leader was believed to have suffered from a rare heart condition.
Following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, McGuinness worked at the centre of the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and became deputy first minister in 2007, with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Ian Paisley becoming first minister
Earlier this year, he stood down from his role in protest against the DUP’s energy scandal, and triggered a snap election.
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said of his long-time friend and confidant:
“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.”
Prime Minister Theresa May praised “historic contribution” he played in forging a lasting peace in Northern Ireland despite his choices earlier in life.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said his death presented a “significant loss, not only to politics in Northern Ireland, but to the wider political landscape on this island and beyond”.
