President of Sein Fein party, once the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on Sunday apologised for IRA's role in killing Lord Louis Mountbatten. Lord Mountbatten was Prince Philip's uncle and last Viceroy of India. The IRA assassinated Mountbatten in 1979 as part of a decades-long conflict waged between Irish republicans and those who wanted Northern Ireland to remain in British hands.

Sein Fein president Mary Lou McDonald's comment came just a day after Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth the Second, was laid to rest. He passed away at the age of 99 on April 9.

"Of course I am sorry that happened, of course that is heart-breaking," McDonald told Times Radio.

"I am happy to reiterate that on the weekend that your queen buried her beloved husband," she added.

It was the first time the political leader of Irish republicans has apologised for the bombing, with McDonald's predecessor Gerry Adams saying at the time that Mountbatten was a legitimate target.

Three other people, including Mountbatten's 14-year-old grandson and a 15-year-old boy, were killed when the IRA blew up Mountbatten's yacht in the Irish village of Mullaghmore.

Mountbatten was a mentor to Prince Philip and Prince Charles.

McDonald said Sunday that "my job, and I think Prince Charles... would absolutely appreciate this, is to lead from the front now, in these times.

"It's all of our jobs to make sure that no other child, no other family, irrespective of who they are, face the kind of trauma and heartbreak that was all too common sadly in all sides on this island and beyond," she said.&nbsp;

Around 3,500 lives were lost in the conflict between unionists and nationalists over the future of Northern Ireland that ended with a landmark peace deal in 1998.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

President of Sein Fein party, once the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on Sunday apologised for IRA's role in killing Lord Louis Mountbatten. Lord Mountbatten was Prince Philip's uncle and last Viceroy of India.

President of Sein Fein party, once the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on Sunday apologised for IRA's role in killing Lord Louis Mountbatten. Lord Mountbatten was Prince Philip's uncle and last Viceroy of India. The IRA assassinated Mountbatten in 1979 as part of a decades-long conflict waged between Irish republicans and those who wanted Northern Ireland to remain in British hands. Sein Fein president Mary Lou McDonald's comment came just a day after Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth the Second, was laid to rest. He passed away at the age of 99 on April 9. "Of course I am sorry that happened, of course that is heart-breaking," McDonald told Times Radio. "I am happy to reiterate that on the weekend that your queen buried her beloved husband," she added. It was the first time the political leader of Irish republicans has apologised for the bombing, with McDonald's predecessor Gerry Adams saying at the time that Mountbatten was a legitimate target. Three other people, including Mountbatten's 14-year-old grandson and a 15-year-old boy, were killed when the IRA blew up Mountbatten's yacht in the Irish village of Mullaghmore. Mountbatten was a mentor to Prince Philip and Prince Charles. McDonald said Sunday that "my job, and I think Prince Charles... would absolutely appreciate this, is to lead from the front now, in these times. "It's all of our jobs to make sure that no other child, no other family, irrespective of who they are, face the kind of trauma and heartbreak that was all too common sadly in all sides on this island and beyond," she said. Around 3,500 lives were lost in the conflict between unionists and nationalists over the future of Northern Ireland that ended with a landmark peace deal in 1998. (With inputs from agencies)

Sinn Fein apologises for IRA killing of Lord Mountbatten, Prince Philip's uncle

Irish Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/irish-prime-minister-leo-varadkar-visits-family-in-india-270879">Leo Varadkar</a> will ask President Michael D. Higgins to dissolve parliament on Tuesday in order to hold a parliamentary election in February, the president's office said.

The Irish Times and national broadcaster RTE said Varadkar had told his ministers the ballot would be on February&nbsp;8.

The campaign is set to pit the 40-year-old prime minister's record on the fast-growing economy against struggling services, particularly in the health service and expensive housing market, in contest polls suggest is too close to call.

Varadkar's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/northern-irelands-dup-oppose-united-kingdom-governments-brexit-plan-256446">Fine Gael</a> and the fellow center-right <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-ireland-beat-britain-in-the-brexit-divorce-battle-179372">Fianna Fail</a> are closely matched in opinion polls, and some distance ahead of their other rivals, increasingly the likelihood that one of the two parties with similar policies on the economy and Brexit will lead another minority administration.

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We’ve made some good progress since I’ve become Taoiseach. But I know it’s not enough, and we want to do much more. <a href="https://twitter.com/FineGael?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FineGael</a> has the team, the track record and the plans to build a future we can all look forward to.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LookForward?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LookForward</a> <a href="https://t.co/Tox3EBxHVm">pic.twitter.com/Tox3EBxHVm</a>
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Fine Gael has led a minority government since 2016 through a cooperation deal with Fianna Fail, their fiercest rivals, after neither party came close to getting enough votes to form a working coalition last time out.

Varadkar, 40, became the once-staunchly Catholic country's first gay premier in 2017, a year after the last election when his party hoped a generational shift could lead them to a third successive term for the first time.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail both refuse to govern with the country's third-largest party <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-general-election-a-look-at-possible-outcomes-of-the-uk-vote-267764">Sinn Fein</a>, once the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), meaning smaller parties such as the resurgent Greens could decide whether Varadkar or Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin become the next prime minister.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will ask President Michael D. Higgins to dissolve parliament on Tuesday in order to hold a parliamentary election in February, the president's office said.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will ask President Michael D. Higgins to dissolve parliament on Tuesday in order to hold a parliamentary election in February, the president's office said. The Irish Times and national broadcaster RTE said Varadkar had told his ministers the ballot would be on February 8. The campaign is set to pit the 40-year-old prime minister's record on the fast-growing economy against struggling services, particularly in the health service and expensive housing market, in contest polls suggest is too close to call. Varadkar's Fine Gael and the fellow center-right Fianna Fail are closely matched in opinion polls, and some distance ahead of their other rivals, increasingly the likelihood that one of the two parties with similar policies on the economy and Brexit will lead another minority administration. We’ve made some good progress since I’ve become Taoiseach. But I know it’s not enough, and we want to do much more. @FineGael has the team, the track record and the plans to build a future we can all look forward to.#LookForward pic.twitter.com/Tox3EBxHVm — Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 14, 2020 × Fine Gael has led a minority government since 2016 through a cooperation deal with Fianna Fail, their fiercest rivals, after neither party came close to getting enough votes to form a working coalition last time out. Varadkar, 40, became the once-staunchly Catholic country's first gay premier in 2017, a year after the last election when his party hoped a generational shift could lead them to a third successive term for the first time. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail both refuse to govern with the country's third-largest party Sinn Fein, once the political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), meaning smaller parties such as the resurgent Greens could decide whether Varadkar or Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin become the next prime minister.

Irish PM Leo Varadkar to hold a parliamentary election in February

Northern Ireland: When British troops moved in 50 years ago with 'Operation Banner'

A suspect package discovered at a postal depot in Ireland appeared to be identical to a series of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-evacuate-building-in-central-edinburgh-over-suspicious-package-201824">devices mailed to addresses in Britain</a> earlier this month claimed by a group calling itself the "IRA", police said Friday.

The mail sorting office in the west coast city of Limerick was evacuated after the discovery at 6:00 am and a bomb disposal team was called to the scene.

"This parcel appears to be identical to parcels... discovered earlier this month in London and Glasgow," a police spokesman said.

On March 12 a group calling itself the "IRA" -- the Irish Republican Army -- claimed responsibility for four small parcel bombs mailed to London and Glasgow.

Suspicious parcels were discovered at an office adjacent to London's Heathrow Airport, in the post room at the city's Waterloo railway terminus, and at offices near London City Airport.

One more suspicious package was received at Glasgow University.

All were sent using Irish stamps, with the senders' address given as Dublin.

A group calling itself the "IRA" claimed responsibility, saying it had sent a total of five parcels -- of which the Limerick package could be the last.

The IRA was a paramilitary group fighting for Northern Ireland's integration into the Republic of Ireland through violent means during the 30 years of bloodshed known as "The Troubles".

The group agreed to a ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, saying it would pursue its aims through political means.

But dissident splinter groups have sought to continue their campaign.

In January a group calling itself the "New IRA" claimed responsibility for a car bomb outside the courthouse in the Northern Irish city of Derry/Londonderry.

There were no injuries after the area was evacuated when a warning was phoned in.

A suspect package discovered at a postal depot in Ireland appeared to be identical to a series of devices mailed to addresses in Britain earlier this month claimed by a group calling itself the "IRA", police said Friday.

A suspect package discovered at a postal depot in Ireland appeared to be identical to a series of devices mailed to addresses in Britain earlier this month claimed by a group calling itself the "IRA", police said Friday. The mail sorting office in the west coast city of Limerick was evacuated after the discovery at 6:00 am and a bomb disposal team was called to the scene. "This parcel appears to be identical to parcels... discovered earlier this month in London and Glasgow," a police spokesman said. On March 12 a group calling itself the "IRA" -- the Irish Republican Army -- claimed responsibility for four small parcel bombs mailed to London and Glasgow. Suspicious parcels were discovered at an office adjacent to London's Heathrow Airport, in the post room at the city's Waterloo railway terminus, and at offices near London City Airport. One more suspicious package was received at Glasgow University. All were sent using Irish stamps, with the senders' address given as Dublin. A group calling itself the "IRA" claimed responsibility, saying it had sent a total of five parcels -- of which the Limerick package could be the last. The IRA was a paramilitary group fighting for Northern Ireland's integration into the Republic of Ireland through violent means during the 30 years of bloodshed known as "The Troubles". The group agreed to a ceasefire in 1997 and announced an end to its armed campaign in 2005, saying it would pursue its aims through political means. But dissident splinter groups have sought to continue their campaign. In January a group calling itself the "New IRA" claimed responsibility for a car bomb outside the courthouse in the Northern Irish city of Derry/Londonderry. There were no injuries after the area was evacuated when a warning was phoned in.

Suspicious package in Ireland matches 'Irish Republican Army' devices sent to UK

Northern Ireland&#39;s former deputy first minister and one-time IRA commander Martin McGuinness has died aged 66, his Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein said on Tuesday.

McGuinness had resigned from politics in January, citing a serious illness and a breakdown in relations with the rival Democratic Unionist Party.

&quot;It is with deep regret and sadness that we have learnt of the death of our friend and comrade Martin McGuinness who passed away in Derry during the night,&quot; Sinn Fein said in a statement.

The BBC said he had died of a rare heart condition.

Sinn Fein refused to appoint a replacement for McGuinness in January due to a row with the DUP, its partner in a power-sharing government set up to bring peace to the province.

That triggered local elections in which Sinn Fein made major gains against the pro-British DUP and the two parties are currently deadlocked, meaning that the British government could impose direct rule of Northern Ireland from London.

Ten years ago in May McGuinness had made history by entering a government with his once bitter foe, Ian Paisley of the DUP.

The decision to share power was a key part of the peace process in Northern Ireland, which endured three decades of violence in which more than 3,500 people died.

McGuinness was a commander in the IRA paramilitary group that fought for the province to leave Britain and join the Republic of Ireland to the south.

In a memorable gesture that would once have been unimaginable, he shook hands with Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Belfast in 2012.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams called his former colleague a &quot;passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the re-unification of his country.&nbsp;

&quot;Throughout his life Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness,&quot; he said in a statement.

McGuinness was born in 1950 in Derry, on the province&#39;s northern coast, and grew up in the city when it was riven by sectarian bloodshed.

He became involved in the civil rights movement as a teenager and rapidly rose through the ranks of the IRA.

He was second in command at the time of Bloody Sunday in 1972, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed republican protesters in Derry, killing 13 of them.

He served prison time for IRA-related activities, but later became a peacemaker as he negotiated a deal with loyalists and the British government.

McGuinness became Northern Ireland&#39;s deputy first minister in 2007 working alongside former adversary Paisley, who was first minister.

Paisley&#39;s son Kyle tweeted that he was &quot;very sorry to hear about the passing of Martin McGuinness. Look back with pleasure on the remarkable year he and my father spent in office together.&quot;

More recently, he served alongside first ministers Peter Robinson and then Arlene Foster until he quit in January over an energy policy scandal.

Northern Ireland&#39;s Martin McGuinness, who died on Tuesday aged 66, is a former paramilitary who became a key behind-the-scenes negotiator for the peace process.

McGuinness, who resigned from politics in January due to ill-health and a breakdown in relations with the rival Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), died during the night, his Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein said.

He was a commander of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during its bloody campaign against British rule of the province, in which 3,500 people died in three decades of violence.

But the senior Sinn Fein member also helped negotiate the landmark Good Friday Agreement in 1998 for sharing power with one-time bitter foes the DUP.

The man described as a ruthless commander became a statesman who rubbed shoulders with prime ministers and presidents, as well as Queen Elizabeth II.

He said recently he hoped in the future to be &quot;an ambassador for peace, unity and reconciliation&quot;.

&quot;Reconciliation, I have always believed, is the next vital stage of the peace process,&quot; he said.

&quot;My record of reaching out, whether it be to Queen Elizabeth -- and her record of reaching out to me on several occasions -- my visits to the Somme, to Flanders field, have not been reciprocated by the DUP and that is a particular disappointment to me.&quot;

In his position as deputy first minister, McGuinness shook hands with the queen, whose authority in Northern Ireland he does not recognise, during her visit there in 2012.

&#39;Goodbye and God bless&#39;

He wished the monarch well in Irish, in a phrase that translates as: &quot;Goodbye and God bless&quot;.

McGuinness was born in 1950 in Londonderry in Northern Ireland, and as a teenager became involved in the civil rights movement.

He joined socialists Sinn Fein, now the main Catholic republican party, in 1970.

He became a member of the IRA and had risen to its second-in-command in Derry by the time of &quot;Bloody Sunday&quot;, the notorious day on January 30, 1972, when British soldier shot dead 13 unarmed civil rights protesters.

Although McGuinness escaped detention by the British in Northern Ireland, he was jailed in the Republic of Ireland in 1973 after being caught with 250 pounds (113 kilogrammes) of explosives and nearly 5,000 rounds of ammunition in a car.

At his trial, where he received a six-month sentence, he proudly declared his membership of the IRA, saying: &quot;We have fought against the killing of our people. I am a member of Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA) and very, very proud of it.&quot;

Years later in May 2001, after McGuinness became a politician, he spoke of his membership of the IRA with a level of honesty that few of his Sinn Fein colleagues have matched and which has removed some of the toxicity from his past.

Peace negotiator

McGuinness moved into politics relatively early, becoming one of five Sinn Fein members elected to the short-lived Northern Ireland assembly in 1982.

He was involved in secret talks with British officials between 1990 and 1993, and after the IRA ceasefire of 1994, became Sinn Fein&#39;s chief negotiator in the painstaking talks that led to the Good Friday peace accords.

When a power-sharing government was established in 2007, McGuinness was appointed deputy first minister, working closely with First Minister Ian Paisley, the firebrand Protestant preacher who led the staunchly pro-British DUP.

The two men surprised many by striking up a warm relationship, and McGuinness continued good working ties with Paisley&#39;s successor, Peter Robinson.

But he fell out with Robinson&#39;s successor Arlene Foster, leading to his resignation in January.

McGuinness had said his ill-health, which required a period of absence from his role, was not the reason he resigned but said he was quitting politics to try to recover.

Sinn Fein refused to appoint a replacement for McGuinness due to a row with the DUP.

That triggered local elections in which Sinn Fein made major gains against the DUP and the two parties are currently deadlocked, meaning that the British government could impose direct rule of Northern Ireland from London.

McGuinness enjoys fly-fishing, and his condemnation of violence in his soft Derry accent have earned him death threats from the paramilitaries he once led.

The father of four has repeatedly condemned attacks by dissident republicans opposed to the peace process, and his outrage at the murder of two British soldiers in Northern Ireland in 2009 was seen as a bold step.

(AFP)

The BBC said Martin McGuinness, 66, had died of a rare heart condition

Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and one-time IRA commander Martin McGuinness has died aged 66, his Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein said on Tuesday. McGuinness had resigned from politics in January, citing a serious illness and a breakdown in relations with the rival Democratic Unionist Party. "It is with deep regret and sadness that we have learnt of the death of our friend and comrade Martin McGuinness who passed away in Derry during the night," Sinn Fein said in a statement. The BBC said he had died of a rare heart condition. Sinn Fein refused to appoint a replacement for McGuinness in January due to a row with the DUP, its partner in a power-sharing government set up to bring peace to the province. That triggered local elections in which Sinn Fein made major gains against the pro-British DUP and the two parties are currently deadlocked, meaning that the British government could impose direct rule of Northern Ireland from London. Ten years ago in May McGuinness had made history by entering a government with his once bitter foe, Ian Paisley of the DUP. The decision to share power was a key part of the peace process in Northern Ireland, which endured three decades of violence in which more than 3,500 people died. McGuinness was a commander in the IRA paramilitary group that fought for the province to leave Britain and join the Republic of Ireland to the south. In a memorable gesture that would once have been unimaginable, he shook hands with Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Belfast in 2012. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams called his former colleague a "passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the re-unification of his country. "Throughout his life Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness," he said in a statement. McGuinness was born in 1950 in Derry, on the province's northern coast, and grew up in the city when it was riven by sectarian bloodshed. He became involved in the civil rights movement as a teenager and rapidly rose through the ranks of the IRA. He was second in command at the time of Bloody Sunday in 1972, when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed republican protesters in Derry, killing 13 of them. He served prison time for IRA-related activities, but later became a peacemaker as he negotiated a deal with loyalists and the British government. McGuinness became Northern Ireland's deputy first minister in 2007 working alongside former adversary Paisley, who was first minister. Paisley's son Kyle tweeted that he was "very sorry to hear about the passing of Martin McGuinness. Look back with pleasure on the remarkable year he and my father spent in office together." More recently, he served alongside first ministers Peter Robinson and then Arlene Foster until he quit in January over an energy policy scandal. Northern Ireland's Martin McGuinness, who died on Tuesday aged 66, is a former paramilitary who became a key behind-the-scenes negotiator for the peace process. McGuinness, who resigned from politics in January due to ill-health and a breakdown in relations with the rival Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), died during the night, his Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein said. He was a commander of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during its bloody campaign against British rule of the province, in which 3,500 people died in three decades of violence. But the senior Sinn Fein member also helped negotiate the landmark Good Friday Agreement in 1998 for sharing power with one-time bitter foes the DUP. The man described as a ruthless commander became a statesman who rubbed shoulders with prime ministers and presidents, as well as Queen Elizabeth II. He said recently he hoped in the future to be "an ambassador for peace, unity and reconciliation". "Reconciliation, I have always believed, is the next vital stage of the peace process," he said. "My record of reaching out, whether it be to Queen Elizabeth -- and her record of reaching out to me on several occasions -- my visits to the Somme, to Flanders field, have not been reciprocated by the DUP and that is a particular disappointment to me." In his position as deputy first minister, McGuinness shook hands with the queen, whose authority in Northern Ireland he does not recognise, during her visit there in 2012. 'Goodbye and God bless' He wished the monarch well in Irish, in a phrase that translates as: "Goodbye and God bless". McGuinness was born in 1950 in Londonderry in Northern Ireland, and as a teenager became involved in the civil rights movement. He joined socialists Sinn Fein, now the main Catholic republican party, in 1970. He became a member of the IRA and had risen to its second-in-command in Derry by the time of "Bloody Sunday", the notorious day on January 30, 1972, when British soldier shot dead 13 unarmed civil rights protesters. Although McGuinness escaped detention by the British in Northern Ireland, he was jailed in the Republic of Ireland in 1973 after being caught with 250 pounds (113 kilogrammes) of explosives and nearly 5,000 rounds of ammunition in a car. At his trial, where he received a six-month sentence, he proudly declared his membership of the IRA, saying: "We have fought against the killing of our people. I am a member of Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA) and very, very proud of it." Years later in May 2001, after McGuinness became a politician, he spoke of his membership of the IRA with a level of honesty that few of his Sinn Fein colleagues have matched and which has removed some of the toxicity from his past. Peace negotiator McGuinness moved into politics relatively early, becoming one of five Sinn Fein members elected to the short-lived Northern Ireland assembly in 1982. He was involved in secret talks with British officials between 1990 and 1993, and after the IRA ceasefire of 1994, became Sinn Fein's chief negotiator in the painstaking talks that led to the Good Friday peace accords. When a power-sharing government was established in 2007, McGuinness was appointed deputy first minister, working closely with First Minister Ian Paisley, the firebrand Protestant preacher who led the staunchly pro-British DUP. The two men surprised many by striking up a warm relationship, and McGuinness continued good working ties with Paisley's successor, Peter Robinson. But he fell out with Robinson's successor Arlene Foster, leading to his resignation in January. McGuinness had said his ill-health, which required a period of absence from his role, was not the reason he resigned but said he was quitting politics to try to recover. Sinn Fein refused to appoint a replacement for McGuinness due to a row with the DUP. That triggered local elections in which Sinn Fein made major gains against the DUP and the two parties are currently deadlocked, meaning that the British government could impose direct rule of Northern Ireland from London. McGuinness enjoys fly-fishing, and his condemnation of violence in his soft Derry accent have earned him death threats from the paramilitaries he once led. The father of four has repeatedly condemned attacks by dissident republicans opposed to the peace process, and his outrage at the murder of two British soldiers in Northern Ireland in 2009 was seen as a bold step. (AFP)

Former IRA commander-turned deputy first minister dies