Irish –Americans Mourn the Death of Martin Mc Guinness

Posted By: March 21, 2017

Northern Ireland Bureau Breakfast, Washington, D.C. March 2014

CAPITOL HILL. Washington, DC. Tuesday, March 21, 2017— Irish-Americans were shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Martin McGuinness, former Joint Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.

Fr. Sean Mc Manus — President/Founder of the Capitol Hill- based Irish National Caucus said: “Martin will go down in Irish history as the most significant IRA leader since Michael Collins. I know there was a time Sinn Fein and the Republican Movement would have resented such a comparison. But with the positive re-evaluation of the critical and pivotal role of the heroic Michael Collins, I don’t think Martin would be offended by the comparison. Both men put their lives on the line for Irish freedom, justice, and independence. And both will be honored forever in Irish history.

In a recent comment on Martin’s retirement, I predicted that Arlene Fosters’ lack of graciousness towards Martin’s illness — and her resolute lack of reciprocity to his many gestures of reconciliation and outreach to the Unionist/Protestant community — would in effect result in Martin’s apotheosis…. That from now on, one will hardly see a negative word about Martin Mc Guinness…. That, ironically, he would become the Republican/militant version of the great non-violent Congressman John Lewis (D-GA: an icon, whom no decent person dare attack.

And I concluded by predicting that, “This may well be Arlene Foster’s enduring contribution— the apotheosis of her former Joint- Minister.

Instead of my predictions being exaggerated or over the top, if anything, they were too limited as the extraordinary Sinn Fein election victory has shown. Martin’s apotheosis also becomes Sinn Fein’s apotheosis.

No dedicated Irish Republican leader could ask for more.

May God rest Martin’s noble Irish soul and grant comfort to all his family and colleagues.