Thousands throng McGuinness funeral in Derry

Draped in the Irish tricolor the coffin bearing the remains of Martin McGuinness were carried through the streets of Derry.

 

By Anthony Neeson

Thousands attended today’s funeral of Martin McGuinness in Derry.

So great were the crowds that the funeral Mass was delayed.

Huge crowds followed the coffin to St. Columba’s Long Tower Chapel in the city.

Due to the vast number of mourners on the streets of the Bogside, Requiem Mass was delayed by half an hour.

The former Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister at Stormont died from what is understood to be a rare heart condition in Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

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The chief mourners were Mr. McGuinness’ wife Bernadette (Bernie) McGuinness, their children Grainne, Fionnuala, Fiachra and Emmet and grandchildren.

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was among the mourners, as were leading members of Sinn Féin, including Gerry Adams, Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill.

Also in attendance were DUP leader Arlene Foster, former First Minister Peter Robinson, President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond.

Before the service began Gerry Adams introduced President Clinton and Enda Kenny to the McGuinness family.

President Barack Obama sent a message of condolence.

Former Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster was applauded as she entered the church.

In the hours leading up to the funeral it was uncertain whether the DUP leader would attend.

However, explaining her decision, she said: “Having worked with Martin McGuinness for almost a decade, I want to pay my respects to his family on the occasion of his death.”

Mr. McGuinness’ decision to collapse the Stormont executive in January led to Mrs. Foster losing her job as First Minister.

Referring to Mr. McGuinness’ IRA past she said that she cannot forget that “there will be empty chairs and broken hearts as a result of the terrorism Martin McGuinness supported.”

However, she said she wanted “to acknowledge that there are many republicans and nationalists who looked to Martin McGuinness as a leader, friend or mentor, who will be feeling a very real sense of loss that he has died in this way at the relatively young age of 66.”

As the concelebrated funeral service took place inside St. Columba’s Church thousands of mourners – who had travelled from all over Ireland and indeed from around the world – stood in the streets outside where the Mass was relayed through speakers.

The main celebrant was Fr. Michael Canny. Also presiding at the Mass was Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry, who formally welcomed the family, distinguished visitors and the congregation.

A message from Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of Ireland, was read by Fr. Canny who said: “I bring condolences from Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, who is unable to join us this afternoon.

“Archbishop Eamon, who visited Derry yesterday to pay his respects at Martin's family home, has offered his Mass in Armagh this morning for the repose of Martin's soul. He has asked me to extend once again his sympathy to Bernie and to all Martin's family, loved ones, friends, and party colleagues.”

Other Christian denominations were represented at the Requiem Mass. After the Mass, Martin McGuinness was interred in Derry’s City Cemetery.

 

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