As a regular visitor to Northern Ireland I admire the way they have put the past behind them and embraced a present where Protestant and Catholic work together. The sanctimonious outrage expressed against McGuinness in the Republic, which was largely spared the horrors of the conflict, seems therefore all the more out of place.
McGuinness was a gunman like so many of our patriots who turned to politics. He embraced the peace process, became a major contributor towards peace and stability on this island and more importantly publicly condemned Real IRA atrocities, yet his critics here are still at war, obsessessed with the way he was, ignoring the way he is.
In 2016 we will commemerate and honour the men of violence and it is perhaps apt that we have a former man of violence to lead these commerations.
Rónán Gearóid Ó Domhnaill
Gaillimh
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