Questions about his IRA past bemuse McGuinness

MARTIN MCGUINNESS said it is “bemusing” that he is constantly asked about his IRA past in the Republic since starting his presidential campaign.

He said that while he “could count on one hand” the number of people in the North who had asked him when he left the IRA, he is repeatedly asked about it in the Republic. Mr McGuinness was speaking as the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said all candidates should be upfront and honest with the electorate.

Mr McGuinness came under fresh attack from a Northern executive colleague, Arlene Foster, who challenged him to reveal what she claims he knew about the Enniskillen bombing. She said there had been speculation for decades that the Derry IRA was involved in the 1987 bombing which killed 11 people.