McGuinness doc: Far from facing state ‘assassination’ SF man barely prosecuted

One of the many anecdotes about Martin McGuinness in the recent documentary about him was a claim that the state would try to “assassinate” him.
Nell McCaffertyNell McCafferty
Nell McCafferty

The remark was made by feminist playwright Nell McCafferty, a fellow Bogside resident, in the TG4 show which was aired last Wednesday at 9.30pm.

She was one of a string of people sharing humorous recollections about the paramilitary commander during the show about his life and times.

She said: “One day we were going up the River Faughan for a walk, ‘cause Martin was a fisherman.

“I said: Martin, you are a sitting duck for any British soldier wants to assassinate you, going up this lonely riverbank.

“He said: Why did you think I put you in front of me Nell?” she chucklingly recalled.

Far from “assassinating” Martin McGuinness, the UK authorities barely even prosecuted him.

As the News Letter has previously reported, his rap sheet is extremely thin given he was openly involved at a high level in directing terrorism.

Apart from several months in jail in the Republic for IRA membership around 1973/74, he was never charged with any major crime again.

Whilst he was in court at least 15 times during the 1980s, his charges were all petty ones, such as obstructing police.

He got minor fines, and was let go.

More on the documentary:

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