Northern Ireland

Shane Duffy 'refused to remove Martin McGuinness tweet'

Irish soccer star Shane Duffy praised Martin McGuinness following his death. Picture by Tim Goode, Press Association
Irish soccer star Shane Duffy praised Martin McGuinness following his death. Picture by Tim Goode, Press Association Irish soccer star Shane Duffy praised Martin McGuinness following his death. Picture by Tim Goode, Press Association

IRISH soccer star Shane Duffy has revealed he refused to delete a tweet praising Martin McGuinness following the Sinn Féin politician's death in March last year.

The 26-year-old from Derry said his club Brighton had asked him to remove the tweet which said: "More tragic news this morning, RIP Martin McGuinness a true hero for many of us god bless your family and close ones #ireland".

Brighton was targeted in a high-profile IRA bombing in 1984. Five people died after a bomb was planted at the Grand Brighton Hotel during a Conservative Party conference.

Duffy, who said he met Mr McGuinness a handful of times, told the Second Captains Podcast his club were "on my case".

"I said, 'No. It's my beliefs'," he said.

The footballer said Mr McGuinness "did a lot for Derry".