Tributes are being paid this morning to Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness, who has died at the age of 66.
He had been unwell for several months and passed away in Derry overnight.
Mr McGuinness stepped down as Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister in January.
The former member of the IRA was Sinn Fein’s chief negotiator in the talks which resulted in the good Friday Agreement.
President Michael D Higgins says his death leaves a gap that will be difficult to fill.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has described Martin McGuinness this morning as a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country.
DUP leader Arlene Foster – who was First Minister at the time of Martin McGuinness’s resignation – says her thoughts and prayers are with Mr McGuinness’s wife and the family circle, and described him as having been pivotal in bringing the republican movement towards a position of using peaceful and democratic means.
Sligo Sinn Fein Councillor Chris MacManus this morning recalled the late Mr McGuinness not only as a statesman but also a family friend.
Former Sinn Fein councillor and mayor of Sligo Sean MacManus knew the late Martin McGuinness for much of his life.
They were also both involved in the negotiations on the peace process in Northern Ireland.
This morning, Sean MacManus spoke to OCean FM about what he believed Mr McGuinness’s legacy will be.
Donegal Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty says he considered Martin McGuinness to be a personal friend.
He has described the former deputy First Minister as a passionate man.
Martin McGuinness is the reason there’s peace in the North, according to Tony Blair.
The Former British Prime Minister has added his voice to those mourning the Ulsterman’s death today.
His legacy will see him remembered as an IRA commander turned statesman.
And Tony Blair says history will be kind to Mr McGuinness:
