Letter to Martin

Dear Mr. McGuiness

Thank you – you have taught me to lose my naivety, to be creative and flexible in my thinking about my career and not to be surprised to find evil in power.

I have been waiting for the right opportunity to write to you having watched your career with interest over the past 30 years.  I would like to congratulate you on what can only be described as an extraordinary and surprising rise to success in Northern Irish Politics.

You were always brave and ambitious  - if a little careless - as evidenced in 1973 when you were convicted by the Republic of Ireland’s Special Criminal Court after being caught with a car containing 250lbs of explosives and 5000 rounds of ammunition.  I am sure you were only ensuring that they were made safe and not intending that they go for any other purpose.

But look at you now -  you are Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister – yes Deputy – that’s  second to Peter Robinson who took over the role of First Minister from Ian Paisley  - I am sure that feels great!

I simply love your website www.thepeoplespresident.ie Where you talk about your rise from IRA volunteer to peacemaker and international statesman – so modest – so honest – so humble.

One of your finest moments must surely have been from 1999 to  2002 when you served as Minister of Education for Northern Ireland.  Really – that was amazing to me – a convicted IRA terrorist was running my countries schools – how very innovative.  But  then you did scrap the 11+ and that was a good thing as I,  like you,  failed mine and  I think  we both agree it was a rubbish way to select for secondary school.

You have always been interested in the Youth of Northern Ireland as an enquiry into Bloody Sunday found you – in your role as senior IRA member were  the one who supplied bomb parts to young people in Derry or as I shall call it Londonderry.

I loved the book you featured in “from guns to government’ for which the M15 authors were arrested under the officical secrets act.  What fun you have.  Mo Mowlem was a particular fan and called you ‘babe,  - nice.  You clearly enjoy a good old paradox – being a supporter of Manchester United and the English Cricket team.   How confusing for you.

Finally I love the fact that you are a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association  - from the PTAA to the IRA you show your loyalty and commitment and at least I can rest knowing that whilst you may wield a gun  and a liars tounng you will not be pissed while you do it. 

I am sure your wife and four children are very proud of you.