The Five Demands

Dissidents daub McGuinness’ home in black paint (NewsLetter)

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness’ home was daubed with black paint in an attack which is only now being made public.

The targeting of Mr McGuinness’ house is thought to have been carried out by dissident republicans, and took place around the same time as the senior politician was told of a death threat against him.

It has been reported that the incident was raised by American President Barack Obama, during a St Patrick’s Day visit to the Whitehouse.

While Sinn Fein has not commented on the vandalism, Mr McGuinness released a statement earlier this month condemning a death threat which had been made against him.

At the time he said: “Last night I was visited at home by the PSNI, who informed me of a real and active threat against me from a dissident group in Derry.

“They linked the threat to my condemnation of the recent attempted mortar attack in the city and other remarks made in support of the PSNI.

“Both myself and the PSNI are taking this threat seriously. However there are times when in political leadership staying silent is not an option, and I will not be silenced by threats like this.

“I will defend the peace process from attack from whatever quarter, be it these groups or the loyalist flag protesters over recent months.

“It says much about the mentality of those controlling groups like the one behind the threat that in their warped logic threatening Irish republicans and their families somehow advances the cause of Irish reunification.

“I am very sure of the ground I stand on. I am also very sure that it is the path shared by republicans across this island genuinely interested in building a new agreed Ireland, republicans who put Ireland before ego, criminality and self gain.”

Related articles

• Dissident Republicans issue death threat against Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness (irishcentral.com)
• McGuiness condemns dissident Republicans after bomb found near G8 summit venue (irishcentral.com)
• McGuinness warned of death threat (belfasttelegraph.co.uk)
• Martin McGuinness says he has been warned of ‘real and active’ death threat (guardian.co.uk)
• Martin McGuinness warned of ‘real and active’ threat against his life (independent.co.uk)
• Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness says he has been warned by police of a ‘real and active’ threat against his life (dailyrecord.co.uk)
• Dissident threat to kill McGuinness (bbc.co.uk)