Arlene Foster to attend McGuinness funeral

DUP leader Arlene Foster is to attend the funeral of Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness in Londonderry today.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Mar 2017, 07:55 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 11:03 BST
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill carries the coffin of Martin McGuinness. DER1217-145KMSinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill carries the coffin of Martin McGuinness. DER1217-145KM
Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill carries the coffin of Martin McGuinness. DER1217-145KM

The former deputy first minister died on Tuesday after a short illness.

Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, Mrs Foster said she recognised some will be critical of her decision to attend the former IRA commander’s funeral, but added she wanted to pay “respect to his family”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ex-US President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State James Brokenshire, Irish president Michael D Higgens and Taoiseach Enda Kenny are also set to attend.

The Catholic Church has said assurances have been given there will be “no paramiltary trappings” at the requiem mass in Columba’s Long Tower chapel in Londonderry.

The service will begin at 2pm today, with Mr McGuinness’s remains making their way from his Bogside home to the church at 1.20pm.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church said yesterday that while a flag-draped coffin was to be expected, there would be no other visual reminders of the former IRA commander’s terrorist past.

The funeral could be one of the largest ever held in the city.

Related topics:Arlene FosterMartin McGuinnessDUP