Martin McGuinness' funeral planned for Thursday

QRadio news

The funeral of Northern Ireland's former Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness will take place this Thursday. 

The 66-year-old Sinn Fein veteran, who was diagnosed with a rare heart condition at the end of last year, died in hospital overnight surrounded by family members.

Tributes from political leaders in the UK and Ireland have been mixed with strong words from some IRA victims not prepared to forgive the republican for his paramilitary past.

Mr McGuinness embarked on a political journey from an IRA Commander on the streets of the Bogside in Derry to sharing power with Unionist leaders.

The republican famously formed a remarkable friendship with erstwhile foe, Dr Ian Paisley.

He also struck up a warm relationship with the Queen, whom he praised for her contribution to peace.

It's understood her Majesty will write to Mr.McGuinness' widow in the weeks ahead following his death.

Mr.McGuinness will be laid to rest on Thursday after a service at Long Tower chapel in Derry at 2pm. 

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said his lifelong friend had been a "passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country".

He added: "Throughout his life, Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness."

Prime Minister Theresa May said Mr McGuinness "played a defining role" in leading the republican movement away from violence.

"First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of Martin McGuinness at this sad time," she said.

"While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the republican movement away from violence."

Stephen Gault, whose father Samuel died in the IRA's notorious 'Poppy Day' bombing in Enniskillen in 1987, said he would remember Mr McGuinness only as a "terrorist".

"If he had been repentant my thoughts might have been slightly different," he said.

"But he took to his grave proud that he served in the IRA. There was no remorse or repentance from him even up to his death."

Mr McGuinness's last major act as a politician was to pull down the powersharing executive at Stormont when he resigned as deputy first minister in January in protest at the Democratic Unionists' handling of a green energy scandal.

The move forced DUP First Minister Arlene Foster from office.

Ten days later, showing signs of physical frailty, he announced his retirement from front line politics.

Arlene Foster reached out to Mr McGuinness in recent days as his health deteriorated.

"Today's news will come as a shock to many people," she said.

"First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and the family circle at this very painful time of grief and loss."

She said history would record differing views on Mr McGuinness, but he had played a pivotal role in bringing the republican movement toward peace.

Mr McGuinness's successor as the party's leader at Stormont, Michelle O'Neill, paid tribute.

"His leadership, grace and warm personality have transformed Irish politics for the better and his impact will be felt for many years to come," she said.

Sinn Fein leadership address the media pic.twitter.com/77DrQUuhN2

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During their time in office as first and deputy first minister, Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness earned the nickname the "Chuckle brothers".

Ian Paisley Jnr, who as a junior minister worked alongside his father and the Sinn Fein veteran during their time jointly leading the Stormont executive, acknowledged many would have "mixed feelings" on his passing.

The North Antrim MP said he had gone from viewing Mr McGuinness as the "godfather of the IRA" to considering him a personal friend.

"I think the Christian view in life is how a person's journey started is of course important, but it is how it finishes which is actually more important," he said.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins led tributes from the Irish Republic, saying Mr McGuinness's death left a gap that would be hard to fill.

"The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland," he said.

Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "Martin will always be remembered for the remarkable political journey that he undertook in his lifetime. Not only did Martin come to believe that peace must prevail, he committed himself to working tirelessly to that end."