Independent Unionist councillor calls Martin McGuinness 'a terrorist' during council tributes

Independent Unionist councillor Alderman Maurice Devenney referred to former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness as 'a terrorist' during a council meeting at the Guildhall today.

Mr McGuinness passed away last week following a short illness.

Alderman Devenney said that the 'eulogising' around Mr McGuinness' death had 'traumatised' the victims of IRA violence.

He made the comments during a meeting of full council.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Hilary McClintock opened the meeting by noting the recent tragedies in the area and offering condolences to the families of Ryan McBride, Councillors Kevin Campbell and Tina Gardiner on recent bereavements and noted the recent recovery of the body of Jack Glenn as a 'bittersweet occasion'.

The Mayor noted that the family of Dean Millar were 'still in limbo' and she also mentioned the passing of Martin McGuinness, the murder of Buncrana woman Danielle McLaughlin, the Buncrana Pier Tragedy and the recent attack in Westminster.

Sinn Fein Councillor Paul Fleming offered his party's condolences to all the bereaved and said that Martin McGuinness was a 'leader, inspiration and role model' who would continue to inspire and that his legacy should be 'the laughter of all our children'.

However Independent Unionist Councillor Alderman Maurice Devenney said that he considered Martin McGuinness 'a terrorist and a member of Sinn Fein IRA' who had 'caused much pain in Londonderry and across Northern Ireland'.

He said that he had no problem passing condolences but said that the 'victims of IRA violence have been traumatised by the eulogizing' around the passing of Mr McGuinness.

Alderman Devenney made reference to Frank Hegarty killed by the IRA 'after being told he'd be safe' and Patsy Gillespie.

He added that the Coshquin bomb was described by Bishop Daly at the time as the 'work of Satan'.

Alderman Devenney also mentioned the Claudy bombing and said that the only time he got any pleasure from anything Mr McGuinness had said was 'when he described dissident republicans as traitors'.

He closed by saying that Mr McGuinness 'could have been a hero' if he had given information to the families of victims.