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Dissidents issue SF death threat McGuinness speaks out over threat
(19 minutes later)
The deputy first minister has been told by the police that there is a threat to his life from dissident republicans. The deputy first minister has said those who made threats against his life are "imposters".
Martin McGuinness said he was given a warning within the past 24 hours. Martin McGuinness was told of the threat from dissident republicans by police within the past 24 hours.
The Sinn Fein MP added that there have been numerous threats against him over the years but that they have not deflected him from his work. Speaking on Friday at Free Derry Corner, the Sinn Fein MP said he had a job to do and that he intended to do it.
"It is believed this threat comes from a so-called dissident grouping," Mr McGuinness said in a statement issued on Friday morning. Mr McGuinness also said his wife and children had been verbally abused by "mouthpieces" in the street.
"People are trying to hijack the Republican cause for their own purpose. Well they're not going to succeed," he said
"We have a job to do. Yes it is a difficult job, and yes it may be a dangerous job, and yes some of us my lose our lives in the future.
"But I am not going to be threatened, I am not going to be intimidated and I am certainly not going to live my life in fear."
'Traitors'
Earlier, in a statement, Mr McGuinness said that there have been numerous threats against him over the years.
"I have spent my entire adult life engaged in the republican struggle to bring about Irish unity and independence."I have spent my entire adult life engaged in the republican struggle to bring about Irish unity and independence.
"Throughout that time there have been numerous attempts made to silence me and stop me going about my republican work. "Neither I nor Sinn Fein has allowed these sorts of threats to stop us representing our community and driving forward the republican agenda in the past and we will not allow it to deflect us from our work in the future."
The task of building the peace process and advancing republican and democratic goals is far too important Martin McGuinness
"These have come from a variety of British state agencies and their surrogates in the loyalist gangs. It now seems that some of these small groups have now taken their place in that company."
Mr McGuinness continued: "One thing is for certain: neither I nor Sinn Fein has allowed these sorts of threats to stop us representing our community and driving forward the republican agenda in the past and we will not allow it to deflect us from our work in the future.
"The task of building the peace process and advancing republican and democratic goals is far too important for us to let that happen."
Mr McGuinness accused dissidents of being "traitors" following the murders of two off-duty soldiers and a policeman earlier this year.Mr McGuinness accused dissidents of being "traitors" following the murders of two off-duty soldiers and a policeman earlier this year.
'Betrayed'
He said the perpetrators had "betrayed the desires and political aspirations of all the people who live on this island and they don't deserve to be supported by anyone".He said the perpetrators had "betrayed the desires and political aspirations of all the people who live on this island and they don't deserve to be supported by anyone".
Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey were shot collecting pizza at the Massereene barracks in Antrim on 7 March.Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey were shot collecting pizza at the Massereene barracks in Antrim on 7 March.
Constable Stephen Paul Carroll was killed two days later in Craigavon, County Armagh, after a woman called police when her window was broken.Constable Stephen Paul Carroll was killed two days later in Craigavon, County Armagh, after a woman called police when her window was broken.