Leas Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Eireann Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher expresses his deepest sympathy on the death of former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland the late Martin Mc Guinness.
He said the role played by the late Martin Mc Guinness in the Peace Process was both pivotal and critical in bringing it to its final conclusion, his leadership and conviction that peace was the path to progress and the future helped guide and deliver peace to Northern Ireland.
He added that his exceptional Leadership skills and affable personality made the journey to power sharing in Northern Ireland that much easier for others to join with him in reaching that ultimate goal.
“Martin was the first to reach out to others and always the one to bring others with him in the journey of peace. Martin Mc Guinness was an exceptional man of our time who leaves a legacy that history will judge kindly and all future generations will directly benefit from – The Peace Process, Devolved Government, growth and prosperity across all communities within Northern Ireland.
“He was a committed Irish man and a true Gael with a deep love of GAA, coming from a family which had deep roots within the Derry GAA his brother Tom played for Derry.
“I wish to convey my condolences to his wife Bernie, his two Sons and two Daughters and Grandchildren for them they lose a Husband, Father and Grandfather but they can draw comfort and solas from the fact of the huge contribution Martin has made in his lifetime and the respect his contribution is held in. To his wider circle of family, friends and his colleagues within the Sinn Fein party they have lost a friend and colleague of the highest calibre and of true loyalty to all that you shared and believed in.
“In our lifetimes we witness but a few who make our community and world we live in a better place but such was Martin Mc Guinness – he has left Northern Ireland a much better place for all to live in and to share in the years ahead.”
Solas Mhic Dé ar a nAnam
