McGuinness appeals for N. Ireland talks

Former IRA chief, McGuinness offered Saturday to meet dissident republican groups still seeking independence from London’s rule through violent attacks, saying that “violence has achieved nothing”.

Speaking at his party’s annual conference, the Sinn Fein politician branded dissident killings of policemen “shameful murders”.

However he added: “I am offering them an opportunity to meet and talk — come and tell us what you hope to gain by deluding yourselves and the gullible that your actions will succeed in what is certainly a pathetic and futile attempt to turn back the clock.”

McGuinness’ comments came after it emerged republicans Sinn Fein were in talks with Protestant churches and community leaders on ways to heal the wounds of the decades of violence.

“I never want to be attend another funeral of a police officer or any other member of our society who lost their lives due to violence,” he added.

“So I appeal to you for dialogue but I also say to you that the process of building a new future will continue with or without you — it is your call”, said McGuinness.

Sinn Fein is a party on the up in Ireland, opinion polls are positioning the republicans in second place on both sides of the Irish border, it is in this context that delegates travelled from all over Ireland to the Killarney, in the south west of the country.

Martin McGuinness used the conference to put forward an agenda of reconciliation with Northern Unionist. He recognized the rights of the one million people in Northern Ireland who claim British citizenship and said he will continue to work towards mutual respect and understanding.

MOL/JR/HE

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