Martin McGuinness: Former Northern Irish First Minister seriously ill in hospital
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Version 0 of 1. Concern is growing for former Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness as it emerged he has spent the last two weeks in hospital. The former Sinn Fein leader retired from politics in January on health grounds and is reported to be suffering from a genetic condition. He was admitted to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry two weeks ago due to the side-effects of his treatment, the Irish News reported. The 66-year-old played no part in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections that his resignation triggered when Sinn Fein refused to replace him. He did not attend the count at the Foyle Arena in Derry when his party celebrated their surge to take 27 seats. When the election results began to emerge on Friday Mr Guinness’ son Fiachra tweeted to say “I know a man that’s absolutely buzzing”. On polling day he said his father had voted in the election but it is not known whether this was done in person or by post or proxy. Mr McGuinness resigned as Deputy First Minister on 9 January, saying Sinn Fein would not work with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) as long as Arlene Foster remained party leader. He announced he would retire from politics altogether a few days later. Ms Foster is under increasing pressure to resign after it was revealed she oversaw an energy saving scheme which cost the Northern Ireland taxpayer £480m while she finance minister. She said she had done nothing wrong and accused her critics of sexism. Sinn Fein’s refusal to nominate a new Deputy First Minister meant the current session at Stormont collapsed, forcing Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire to call a snap election on 3 March. Unionists lost their overall majority in the Stormont for the very first time as the DUP saw its number of seats fall from 38 to 28. The defeat means the DUP will no longer be able to use the “petition of concern” mechanism within the Good Friday agreement to block legislation to legalise equal marriage and makes a return to the power sharing deal look less likely. Mr Brokenshire will be meeting with all five Stormont party chiefs later on Monday for preliminary talks on finding a way to resolve the devolved government. Leaders now have three weeks to come to a compromise or they risk the return of direct rule from London. Additional reporting by PA |