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22/06/2012
Martin McGuinness Will Meet The Queen
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness will meet the Queen when she visits Northern Ireland next week.
The decision was made by a special leadership meeting of the party today (Friday June 22) following weeks of intense speculation over whether Mr McGuinness would shake the Queen's hand.
Sinn Fein have boycotted royal visits in the past but things are different on this trip – the Queen’s visit was announced in advance, which for security reasons was not possible before, and Mr McGuinness has said he wants to be a Deputy First Minister for "everyone in Northern Ireland".
The potential handshake would mark a major milestone in the development of post-conflict Northern Ireland.
Mr McGuinness and First Minister Peter Robinson have been invited to attend a reception along with the Queen and the Irish President Michael D Higgins.
It will be a reception of the cross-border charity Co-Operation Ireland, which the Queen and the Irish President are joint patrons of.
Speaking after the his party's meeting, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the decision as a "significant initiative" which presented major symbolic challenges for Irish republicans but said it reflected Sinn Fein's "genuine desire to embrace our unionist neighbours".
The event, which will focus on local arts, is not part of the Queen’s official Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
(NE)
The decision was made by a special leadership meeting of the party today (Friday June 22) following weeks of intense speculation over whether Mr McGuinness would shake the Queen's hand.
Sinn Fein have boycotted royal visits in the past but things are different on this trip – the Queen’s visit was announced in advance, which for security reasons was not possible before, and Mr McGuinness has said he wants to be a Deputy First Minister for "everyone in Northern Ireland".
The potential handshake would mark a major milestone in the development of post-conflict Northern Ireland.
Mr McGuinness and First Minister Peter Robinson have been invited to attend a reception along with the Queen and the Irish President Michael D Higgins.
It will be a reception of the cross-border charity Co-Operation Ireland, which the Queen and the Irish President are joint patrons of.
Speaking after the his party's meeting, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams described the decision as a "significant initiative" which presented major symbolic challenges for Irish republicans but said it reflected Sinn Fein's "genuine desire to embrace our unionist neighbours".
The event, which will focus on local arts, is not part of the Queen’s official Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
(NE)
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Tributes have been paid to the mother of Martin McGuinness (pictured) who died today, following a short illness. Sinn Fein said 84-year-old Peggy McGuinness had died peacefully at her Londonderry home this morning. Friends and Family are said to be comforting Mr McGuinness.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
