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Martin McGuinness insists he is a ‘peacemaker to be trusted’

Former IRA man endorsed to run in Presidential election

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, September 19, 2011, 8:10 AM

Updated Monday, September 19, 2011, 1:35 PM

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Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness pictured in New York on Friday evening

Photo by Molly Muldoon

Presidential hopeful Martin McGuinness has described himself as ‘a peacemaker who can be trusted’ – after he received the green light to run for election.

McGuinness has been officially endorsed by the Sinn Fein leadership to contest next month’s election in the Republic.

The former IRA member has already provoked widespread attention with his decision to enter the contest to replace Mary McAleese in the Aras.

But McGuinness is adamant that he can unite people in Ireland despite his past and has an obligation to ‘heal wounds’.

“Times have changed and I am now seen as a peacemaker who can be trusted,” claimed McGuinness after he was formally nominated to run as a candidate.

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“This election needs to be about new beginnings. I can do new beginnings.”

“I would see the presidency as being central in the unfinished business of the peace process, namely national reconciliation.

“I know there will be a very strong temptation for people to drag us back to the past but I am of the here and now and I am someone who is very much focused on the future.

“People of course know of my past and they also know of my deep commitment to peace and peace-building. I want to continue to reach out directly to those affected by the actions of republicans in the course of conflict.

“Republicans, including myself, have an obligation to help heal the wounds inflicted by our actions.”
As he prepares to join the campaign trail on Monday, McGuinness has temporarily quit his position as Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister.

He revealed after the meeting of the Sinn Fein leadership that he had received good luck messages from all sides of the community in the North, including three Loyalist politicians.

“I have every confidence that the institutions will not be destabilized, that the work will continue, that the peace process will remain secure,” he said.

“In fact I think it will be strengthened by the fact that I am now participating in this very important election.

“If Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson were prepared to work with him then I think that is the greatest testament of how political life has changed, how the conflict has changed in the North and how people see me very much as a peace-maker, but more importantly they see me as a peace-maker that can be trusted.”

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Towngate | Sep 20, 2011, 04:40 AM EDT

Well said Tipp! Adams should have stood himself - not send his lad on what might well be an 'external suicide' mission! (Shades of The Long and the Big Fellas in days of yore!). The Results will indicate starkly how far they have to go to a 'United' Ireland, as the General Electorate will settle for anyone except Martin or David!

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tippboy | Sep 19, 2011, 09:29 PM EDT

Pearce, Connolly and DeValera beat the crap out of no one. Pearse was a delusional romantic with a death wish, Connolly a radical Socialist. Collins was a psychopath in a uniform. The IRA was defeated in the North, winners don't lay down their arms. They embraced "peace" only because they finally realized that they could not win militarily. There has NEVER been a united independent Ireland and there never will be, one reason being that few people in the South want it and of course the majority in the North will never accept it. Finally, why would McGuinness give up a real executive position in N Ireland for a powerless position in the South? Don't trust these guys, they are not what they appear to be!

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DaithiSuibhne | Sep 19, 2011, 08:54 PM EDT

Wake up lads, McGuinness is a fraud. He's only out to fill his pockets with coins.

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greensod | Sep 19, 2011, 02:42 PM EDT

Never judge a person until you have walked in his shoes.Martin McGuinnes wears shoes that are just too dam BIG for the other bums that are running for the position at the current moment.

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Trealach | Sep 19, 2011, 01:53 PM EDT

If we were to judge all our former political leaders on what they had done in the past BEFORE being elected, Ireland wouldn't be an Independent Republic. Pearse, Connolly, Brugha, deValera, Collins, and ALL the others of that time were "Terrorists", according to the British, yet, they took on the British Empire with the same ruthlessness as was dished out to them and beat the crap out of the Brits. While there are many 'actions' which the IRA took in the North and Republic which are as 'condemning' today, as those taken by Collins in his day, the fact remains that they faced the British AND Loyalist Paramilitaries head on - and beat them into a PEACE AGREEMENT. They achieved Peace between, Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter. THAT alone is worthy of some recognition, and McGuinness was central to that Peace Agreement, as were many others who have chosen not to stand for election. Unification is GUARANTEED in the Peace Agreement WHEN the PEOPLE on the Island of Ireland DECIDE to bring it into being. As John Hume said "Win the hearts and minds of the people of Ireland and you will HAVE a United Ireland, the rest will follow."

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sirpeter | Sep 19, 2011, 12:23 PM EDT

We'll take him.He's coming cheap.He'll work for $50 grand and give the other $300 grand to charity.He's leading by example.He should make a big issue of that.50 grand a year is all the politicians are worth.

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Towngate | Sep 19, 2011, 09:58 AM EDT

Martin should put his peacemaker back in his shoulder holster and wait until Ireland has voted to reunite, before standing. That will be the time for a Sinn Fein President of Ireland, but that truly great Day has not yet come! When he sees the results of the polls, he will realise he has 'jumped the Gun'!

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