WITH a photograph of Martin McGuinness positioned behind her, Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster signed a book of condolence at Stormont yesterday (Wednesday) in tribute to her former partner in government who died on Tuesday following a short illness.

Mrs. Foster has confirmed that she will attend Mr. McGuinness’ funeral mass at St. Columba’s Church in his home city of Londonderry today.

Republicans in Donagh held a candlelit vigil on Tuesday night to remember the former IRA commander turned politician and a book of condolence has been opened at Enniskillen Townhall.

Speaking at the vigil, Sinn Fein MLA Jemma Dolan said: “Martin was an inspiration to me. It was an honour to know him not just because he was a fantastic leader and peacemaker but because he was a generous, warm, honest and decent person.”

Mr. McGuinness divided opinion in life and is now doing so in death.While many mourn his passing, there have not been any tears shed this week by some families of IRA victims in Fermanagh, including those still impacted by the Enniskillen bombing in 1987 which left 12 dead in total.

Stephen Gault, who lost his father Samuel in the IRA atrocity, said Mr. McGuinness had taken secrets of the bomb attack to his grave.

“I will always remember Martin McGuinness as the terrorist he was. If he had been repentant my thoughts might have been slightly different.”

It was only a few short months ago that both Mrs. Foster, then then first minister, and Mr. McGuinness governed the country together before the power sharing institutions collapsed amid the controversy over the botched renewable heat incentive scheme. Not only did the future of Stormont suffer but so too did the relationship between the pair.

Despite this, Mrs. Foster paid tribute to Mr. McGuinness, saying: “We will never see his like again.”

During a special sitting of the Assembly yesterday, the Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA described Mr. McGuinness’s legacy as “complex and challenging.”

“Many victims are feeling very hurt because painful memories and scars left by their own loss will have been opened up again... but I also recognise that many republicans and nationalists who looked to Martin as a leader, friend or mentor will be feeling a very real sense of loss.”

Mrs. Foster spoke of the role Mr. McGuinness played in bringing the republican movement “towards peaceful and democratic means.”

“Martin McGuinness played a role, which I will always condemn, in the 1970s and 1980s, but I also have to acknowledge the role that he played over the last decade and more in government in Northern Ireland,” said Mrs. Foster who finished her tribute by quoting the late poet Seamus Heaney:

“So hope for a great sea-change

On the far side of revenge.

Believe that further shore

Is reachable from here.”