Gerry Adams confirms Martin McGuinness meeting with Queen Elizabeth

I just read some of the other comments--and it looks like a lot of people dont have to much forgiveness in their hearts--who cqres who does what ie shake hand ----it is time to move on and to learn from the past--the next generation deserves that --they dont have to live it or die for it because of ego or some other emotional shortcoming -- pray for peace.

It is a great day for Irish and British Folks. Enough hatred has wasted the lives of so many and for what? Imagine Peace by John Lennon says it all--kudos to Martin and Elizabeth for doing the right thing for both nations. May God grant peace not only here but throughout the world. Amen Brotehr.

Beedee if you read my post it is a theoretical question, I will not judge McGuinness's action until I see it. I have no issues with a diplomatic meeting I have a big problem with any bowing or curtseying - All human all should be treated with respect!

Hope he`s proud when meeting her, he can think of all those medals for bravery she pinned on the para`s for Bloody Sunday, the ones they still wear with pride. Does she not want them back ? if not, why not. He can stand true and proud in front of his RH in the knowledge only disclosed last week (before his decision)that those same troops who murdered so many in his own City were always exempt from prosecution. He has not muttered a word of this as he`s too busy scrubbing his lips to kiss her ass.

everytime the news comes on the shinners make reference of mcguiness meeting the queen, trying to milk as much publicity to show their total misreading of her visit to Ireland last year & how popular she was, just get it over with, she's met terrorists before from all politcal persuasion, i suppose it'll play well to their supporters, but for the rest of us, the real historic occasion took place last year.

@Realist - according to the "wires" there will be photographs of the meeting released (according to Sinn Fein sources)Which makes sense, because a meeting of this significance would have been pointless ( from all points of view) without a public record. How else can you show that steps to peace and reconcilliation can and do work??

I must say that many of the comments on this thread smack of insecurity and uncertainty on the part of Irish republicans. I hope you are convinced by your own explanations, as I, for one, am not (and I do not think I'm alone with this).

Excellent post Barneyjo… I fully agree w/ you. (Hold down the [Alt Gr] key on yr keyboard and then press the letter that you want to put a fada over, like as in Banríonn Éilis a Dó and her Fáinne).

barneyjo: If Mr McGuinness is so secure about this and has, as you suggest, "the support of 99.9999999% of the Nationalist people of Northern Ireland", why will this handshake not take place in public - in full view of the cameras? The Unionists have been happy to shake hands with the Irish heads of state for many years now. Perhaps you can explain?

Anyone that seriously thinks that Martin McGuinness could be made to bow to anyone, needs to think again. He has my support and I suspect the support of 99.9999999% of the Nationalist people of Northern Ireland, indeed Ireland for taking part in a meeting guided by protocol, respect, BUT NOT DEFERENCE. I think it safe to assume that Martin will know the difference by this stage. And who knows, maybe Banrion Eilis a Do will have some more Irish by this stage. Would it be going to far to present her with A Fainne for her efforts to date I wonder?

Maireadinmelb. Respect doesn't mean insubordination. Following protocol is what every well brought up and well educated person does. How humiliating for the Irish people if Mr Mcguinness didn't 'do the right thing'and show himself unworthy of a place in Government. There has been much blood spilled and many lives lost to ensure a say for ALL Irish in N. Ireland!!

Surely a fresh look is worth something. Carrying the burden of hate and resentment around for centuries is carrying a burden unnecessarily, and is very weighty. (1) it changes nothing (2) it will never do any good for anyone (3) The way I see it, it has been the fault of successive Governments in N.Ireland that have caused most of the present-day conflict, they have dug their heels in and have never considered for a minute what their fellow Irish were/are suffering through being ruled and kept under with a Jackboot. If there were a moderate Government installed in Stormont, Men & Women, that really love their Country and the people in it, things could settle down and become relatively 'normal'. The door could be closed on past injustices. By all means remember the history, teach it, but don't keep dragging it into to-day and try to live it all again. Think of the children that were born and then died never knowing peace,(not really understanding why), because of what happened hundreds of years ago. Sorry about the rant.....once again....!No offence meant to anyone

McGuinness' hand shake with the English manarch is a proper diplomatic gesture, but it does not mean that the Sinn Féin leader is recognizing G.B.'s right to rule the North of Ireland. I'd be interested to know if the Partitionists in the Dáil will approve of this diplomatic hand shake. Is it possible this friendly gesture could lead to the 5 Sinn Fein's Westminister M.P.s being allowed to take their seats without swearing allegiance to the queen.

Will he be treated as an equal or expected to bow? His reaction will say a lot! He can be respectful of another human being but not seek approval or act in any way as a subordinate!

Will she go to Milltown cemetary and pay homage to all those republicans who died to free the rest of Ireland. Should Martin forget former comrades so quickly otherwise he`d be asking to meet her there. TOM holding a grudge ? Irish Republicans are interned in british prisons today.