Can we really trust Martin McGuinness?

MARTIN McGuinness’s possible role surrounding troubling events, pose doubts about the nature of his character.

If he were to be elected President of Ireland he would have to give an oath or swear to protect and defend the Irish Constitution and keep the interests of the Irish people paramount.

It’s essential therefore that we — the Irish electorate — can trust him to keep his word.

The Frank Hegarty affair seems to indicate a time when he couldn’t keep promises. Did he give an assurance that Hegarty would be safe if he returned to Derry?

In any event, both Hegarty and his mother took those assurances at face value. Hegarty’s dead body was found with bullet wounds to the head 25 years ago.

Perhaps Mr McGuinness can put us straight about what actually happened and tell us what his role was at this time, so that we can be sure that, indeed he has made the transition from gunman to statesman.

If there is to be peace and reconciliation between everyone on this troubled Isle, truth must be told — not sanitised.

Perhaps the “investigative” journalists of RTÉ might pose these questions to Mr McGuinness before they awaken from their slumbers at the end of this election.

Michael Doheny

Viewmount

Waterford