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'''Martin McGuinness''' was born in [[Derry]], [[Northern Ireland]] on 23 May 1950. He joined the [[Irish Republican Army|IRA]] around 1970. In November 2003 he confirmed to the [[Bloody Sunday]] Inquiry that he had been second-in-command of the Provisional IRA in Derry in 1972. He is now a [[Sinn Féin]] Member of Parliament for Mid Ulster. Like his party colleagues, he has refused to take his seat in the British Parliament in Westminster and instead advocates the reunification of Ireland and the restoration of an all-island parliament free from British rule.

'''Martin McGuiness''' (born May 23, 1950), is the deputy First Minister of [[Northern Ireland]]. He is a member of the [[Sinn Fein|Sinn F&eacute;in]] party and a former chief of staff of the [[Irish Republican Army]].<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/oct/07/northernireland.northernireland ''The Guardian'']</ref>  McGuiness is the [[United Kingdom]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] and member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA), both for the mid-[[Ulster]] constituency. McGuinness abstains from attendance at the [[House of Commons]], per Sinn F&eacute;in policy.  He previously served as Minister for Education in Northern Ireland from 1999-2002.

 

McGuiness was born in [[Londonderry]], Northern Ireland, and joined the IRA in 1970.  He quickly rose in the ranks, and participated in the 1972 negotiations between the IRA and the British government. McGuinness was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for IRA membership by the [[Republic of Ireland]] Special Criminal Court in January 1973.<ref>English, Richard (2003).  ''Armed Struggle:  The History of the IRA'''.  Oxford University Press, p.162.</ref>  Following his release, he became more involved in political activity, negotiating directly and indirectly with the British in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref>[http://www.sinnfein.ie/gaelic/peace/document/80 Sinn F&eacute;in statement]</ref>.  Journalists<ref>Taylor, Peter.  ''Age of Terror'', BBC, April 21, 2008</ref> and politicians<ref>Adams and McGuinness named as IRA leaders, ''Daily Telegraph'', February 21, 2005</ref> have stated that McGuinness continued to play a leading role in the IRA's terrorist activity during this time.

 

McGuinness was first elected MP for mid-Ulster in 1997.  He was Sinn F&eacute;in's lead negotiator in the talks for the [[Good Friday Agreement]].

 

[[Category:Politicians]]

[[Category:Politicians]]