FORMER Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was remembered today at his funeral as a man of simple tastes who had reached the summit of politics.
A priest told mourners who packed into St Columba’s Chapel in Derry today that the 66-year-old that he liked nothing better than being at home, tucking into a freshly caught salmon or a plate of cabbage, bacon and spuds.
The people of Derry came out in their thousands this afternoon to pay their respects to the former IRA commander turned politician and peacemaker.
A host of dignitaries also came to St Columba’s Church at Long Tower which earlier today held the funeral of Derry City captain Ryan McBride.
Those paying their respects to Mr McGuinness included Former US President Bill Clinton, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, former First Minister Peter Robinson, John and Pat Hume, former SNP leader Alex Salmond, Ardoyne priest Fr Gary Donegan, and George Hamilton, Chief Constable of the North’s police service.
DUP leader Arlene Foster was given a round of applause by the people of Derry as she entered Long Tower Chapel.
During his homily today, Fr Michael Canny, who had celebrated the Mass for Martin McGuinness, spoke warmly about the former Sinn Fein Foyle MLA.
“There are people in this church today whose presence would have been unthinkable only a generation ago,” Fr Michael told the packed chapel
“They have forged working relationships with Martin McGuinness; they have built friendships with Martin McGuinness; they have occupied Stormont’s benches alongside Martin McGuinness. Some have even sat in government with Martin McGuinness.
“The presence of those political rivals and opponents who have come to pay their respects is the most eloquent testimony to the memory of Martin McGuinness.
“A man who came to be a widely respected leader of this community, a man who has been acknowledged in recent days as a man who spent recent years moving this community towards peace.”
“He was the Sinn Féin leader who first shared power, then became friends with the late Dr Ian Paisley; he was the IRA commander who became a mainstay of the peace process.
Former US President Bill Clinton and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern arrive at chapel for funeral of Martin McGuinness
“I have had many conversations with Martin down through the years and he knew only too well how many people struggled with his IRA past.
“Republicans were not blameless and many people right across the community find it difficult to forgive and impossible to forget.
“The word ‘journey’ has been used by many people in recent days to describe his transition from man of war to man of peace.
“The word ‘journey’ is also used frequently to describe the believer as he or she lives life on the way to union with God.
“By any standards, Martin McGuinness was a remarkable man and his life was a remarkable journey.
“Martin realised that the time for peace had come and he pursued the peace process with relentless energy for the rest of his days, until illness finally struck him down.
“On the course of that journey he encountered many obstacles but he remained resolute.
“In conversation he continually repeated that there was no other way, we had to continually work for the building of peace and a better future for all. He never became disheartened despite the many setbacks.
“We come here to this church this afternoon because Martin was also a man of faith. He believed in God and his faith was important to him.
“Prayer was very important to him. In Saint’s Paul’s second letter to Timothy, read in our second reading, the apostle said the time of his departure had come and he prepared to face the Lord, “the righteous judge”.
Folk singer Christy Moore turned up with his guitar for the funeral
“He had finished the race. He had kept the faith.
“Martin, too, has finished the race. He, too, kept the faith. He, too, has come face to face with the righteous judge who judges all fairly.”
The bidding prayers were read by Mr McGuinness’ grandchildren Tiarnan Hargan, Rossa Devine, Oisin Hargan and Ciana Devine.
Rev Harold Good and Rev David Latimer are also reading prayers of the faithful.
Following Requiem Mass, the remains of Martin McGuinness were to be taken to the republican plot at the City Cemetery for burial.
Thousands and thousands of people turned out in Derry this afternoon to pay their respects to Martin McGuinness
