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Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill pays emotional tribute to her 'leader and inspiration'

 Sinn Féin leader in the North Michelle O'Neill signs the book of condolences for her 'mentor' Martin McGuinness
 Sinn Féin leader in the North Michelle O'Neill signs the book of condolences for her 'mentor' Martin McGuinness  Sinn Féin leader in the North Michelle O'Neill signs the book of condolences for her 'mentor' Martin McGuinness

Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill paid emotional tribute at the start of the Assembly session in Belfast.

Mr McGuinness's successor hailed him as a "political visionary" and "gifted strategist and orator".

"For the Sinn Fein MLAs in this chamber and for the Irish republican family across this island and beyond he was our leader, he was our inspiration, our role model and he was, above all else, our dear and valued friend," she said.

"So it is with a broken heart but with a heart that is bursting with pride that I have the honour and privilege to pay tribute to him today."

She added: "His leadership and the example he set will continue to inspire those of us who are determined to build a better future for all the generations to come."

Michelle O’Neill succeeded Martin McGuinness as Sinn Féin's Stormont leader
Michelle O’Neill succeeded Martin McGuinness as Sinn Féin's Stormont leader Michelle O’Neill succeeded Martin McGuinness as Sinn Féin's Stormont leader

Mrs O'Neill said Mr McGuinness always challenged party colleagues to reach out to those from a unionist tradition.

She noted in his last public statement he urged people to choose "hope over fear".

Michelle O'Neill and Arlene Foster speaking in the Assembly:

"The legacy that Martin wished was for a better future based on equality and measured by the joy and laughter of all of our children," she said.

"So on behalf of Sinn Fein I rededicate our party to completing his life's work and to living through his legacy."

Former first minister Arlene Foster said Mr McGuinness's legacy was "complex and challenging".

The DUP leader said it was doubtful Northern Ireland would "ever see his like again".

She said his death was "hugely difficult" for victims as it had brought up painful memories from the Troubles.

"I would never seek to minimise the very real pain they are going through," she said.

"Indeed I understand that pain and I empathise with all those innocent victims throughout Northern Ireland.

"But I do recognise also that there are many republicans and nationalists who look to Martin as a leader, friend or mentor who will be feeling a very real sense of loss that he has died in this way at the relatively young age of 66."

The DUP leader said history would have the "final say" on Mr McGuinness.

 Walking in different directions. Michelle O'Neill and Arlene Foster
 Walking in different directions. Michelle O'Neill and Arlene Foster  Walking in different directions. Michelle O'Neill and Arlene Foster

She said while she would also condemn his IRA past she did acknowledge his contribution to devolved government.

"It is precisely because of his past, because of his involvement with the IRA in the 70s and 80s because of his influence within those circles that he was able to play the role he played in bringing the republican movement towards using peaceful and democratic means and because of all of that I doubt we will ever see his like again," she said.

Mrs Foster said those who claimed Northern Ireland had not changed were wrong.

"Things have fundamentally changed since I was growing up in the 70s and 80s and changed immeasurably for the better and Martin McGuinness did play a role which I will always condemn in the 70s and 80s but I also have to acknowledge the role that he played over this last decade and more in government in Northern Ireland," she said.

Mrs Foster concluded her remarks by quoting Mr McGuinness's favourite poet, Seamus Heaney, saying: "So hope for a great sea change, on the far side of revenge.

"Believe that further shore is reachable from here."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Mr McGuinness's journey "started in violence, but ended up very much grounded in principles of peace and partnership".

He praised Mr McGuinness for his "generosity of spirit", but added it was also important to remember the victims of the Troubles.

"We have the opportunity to do what Martin McGuinness would have wanted us to do. Go down to Stormont Castle and finish the job."

SDLP leader Colm Eastwood on his way to a special Assembly meeting in memory of Martin McGuinness
SDLP leader Colm Eastwood on his way to a special Assembly meeting in memory of Martin McGuinness SDLP leader Colm Eastwood on his way to a special Assembly meeting in memory of Martin McGuinness

Ulster Unionist Mike Nesbitt said it would be "dishonest" of him "to ignore the pain of the victims of the IRA".

But he added: "History will also reflect on Martin McGuinness as more than an IRA commander. History will be very positive about his motivation as a politician.

"If unionism has anything to learn from Martin McGuinness it is the importance of outreach. He reached outside his comfort zone on many occasions but unionism didn't always reciprocate."

Alliance leader Naomi Long paid tribute to Mr McGuinness for his "pivotal role in bringing the violent campaign to an end and moving us to the place we are in today".

She added: "I want to acknowledge there are those who suffered, who today will find this a very difficult time."

Jim Allister of the TUV said his thoughts were primarily with the victims of the IRA.

"Thus I come to note the death of Martin McGuinness, not to praise him," he added.

An Unhappy Jim Allister with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness at the Counting of ballots cast in the European elections in Northern Ireland in 2011
An Unhappy Jim Allister with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness at the Counting of ballots cast in the European elections in Northern Ireland in 2011 An Unhappy Jim Allister with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness at the Counting of ballots cast in the European elections in Northern Ireland in 2011

Books of condolences for the former deputy first minister have opened across Ireland.

At the Belfast signing, DUP councillor and Orangeman Brian Kingston said Mr McGuinness will be associated with "appalling suffering", but also "with peaceful and democratic processes".

The Belfast Lord Mayor added: "Along with other members of the council I wish to express my condolences to his family at this sad time. On a personal level, I look back at the life of MM with mixed feelings. He will be remembered for his involvement in violence and terrorism.

"He will also be remembered for his involvement in democratic politics and the rejection of violence."