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Martin McGuinness' contribution to peace will have long legacy

Martin McGuinness turned to republicanism after witnessing the oppression of nationalists but went on to forge warm bonds with former enemies, writes Daniel McConnell.

Martin McGuinness' contribution to peace will have long legacy

Fri, 20 Jan, 2017 - 00:00

Daniel McConnell

Daniel McConnell

He was the IRA commander who took arms against the British only to shake the hands of Queen Elizabeth as a political leader in Northern Ireland.

A former butcher from the Bogside in Derry, a man of action during the street fighting of the 1970s, he ended up toasting the Queen at Windsor Castle after a long career of peace-making.

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Columnists Stormont crisis Martin McGuinness Stormont IRA Sinn Féin Place: Northern Ireland Place: Bogside Place: Derry Place: Windsor Castle Place: Stormont Place: Westminster Place: Belfast Place: White House Person: Martin McGuinness'Person: Martin McGuinness Person: Daniel McConnell Person: Queen Elizabeth Person: Queen Person: President Mary McAleese Person: McAleese Person: McGuinness’Person: McGuinness Person: Gerry Adams Person: Deputy First Minister Person: Sinn Fein Person: Ian Paisley Person: Chuckle Brothers Person: George W Bush Person: Paisley Person: Peter Robinson Person: Arlene Foster Event: Bloody Sunday Event: Good Friday Organisation: IRA Organisation: Provisionals Organisation: Provisional IRA Organisation: Saville Inquiry Organisation: Republic of Ireland’s Special Criminal Court Organisation: Óglaigh na hÉireann Organisation: Sinn Féin Organisation: Northern Ireland Assembly Organisation: DUP

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