Dissident Republicans issue death threat against Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness

Threat made after comments in support of PSNI

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Northern Ireland's deputy first minister Martin McGuinness

Photo by REUTERS/David Moir

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Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness has been warned about a ‘viable’ death threat against him from Dissident Republicans in his native Derry.

The Sinn Fein deputy leader was contacted by a senior officer from the Police Service of Northern Ireland on Wednesday night and warned of the danger.

He said he will take it seriously but has vowed not to be silenced by breakaway Republicans. The threat was made in the wake of his remarks supporting the PSNI after they thwarted a Real IRA mortar attack in Derry.

McGuinness revealed: “I was visited at home by the PSNI who informed me of a real and active threat against me from a dissident group in Derry. They linked the threat to my condemnation of the recent attempted mortar attack in the city and other remarks made in support of the PSNI.”

The Irish Times reports that McGuinness said he is taking the threat seriously but added he would ‘not be silenced by threats like this.’

He continued: “I will defend the peace process from attack from whatever quarter, be it these groups or the loyalist flag protesters over recent months.

“It says much about the mentality of those running groups like the one behind the threat that in their warped logic threatening Irish Republicans and their families somehow advances the cause of Irish reunification.

“I am very sure of the ground I stand on. I am also very sure that it is the path shared by Republicans across this island genuinely interested in building a new agreed Ireland, Republicans who put Ireland before ego, criminality and self gain.”
 

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