Martin McGuinness target of CIRA rocket attack plan

The North’s First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said death threats will not stop him pursuing political objectives.

It has emerged that dissident republican terrorists planned to use a rocket launcher on Mr McGuinness. He said he was warned of the Continuity IRA (CIRA) plot by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

“I have been made aware the PSNI has discovered a plan to launch a rocket attack against me,” said Mr McGuinness in a statement.

Mr McGuinness met Queen Elizabeth II in 2012, causing outrage among hardline dissident republicans opposed to the peace process. He has since met the Queen on three occasions, including as a guest at a Windsor Castle banquet last year.

The Sinn Féin MLA added: “I will not be silenced or deterred. These people are only interested in plunging us back into the past.

“If those behind this threat think they have the ability to destroy the peace agreements, which have been endorsed by the overwhelming majority of the people of Ireland, then they are clearly detached from reality. They need to wise up, listen to the people of Ireland and abandon these futile actions.

“This threat will not stop me or anyone in Sinn Féin from our work in representing everyone in our society and continuing to pursue our political objectives.”