This is a first in the history of Northern Ireland. Queen Elizabeth was visiting Northern Ireland this week for her Diamond Jubilee. To mark the occasion, a meeting was organized on Wednesday to shake hands with Martin McGuinness, currently Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and former leader of the IRA…
It was a long-awaited and highly symbolic meeting, which culminated in a meaningful handshake. The meeting between the 2 personalities took place behind closed doors in a Belfast theater, in the presence of the President of the Irish Republic, Michael Higgins, and the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson. A second handshake was then renewed in front of the cameras. Martin McGuinness even took the liberty of accompanying his gesture with a phrase in Gaelic, meaning“Goodbye and may God be with you“.
This gesture marks further progress for the Peace Process, and consolidates the new diplomatic relationship between the UK and Northern Ireland. Of course, the act was welcomed, but also decried by the people of Northern Ireland… Thus, Belfast was the scene of incidents during the night before the meeting of the 2 leaders. These incidents were provoked by young Northern Irishmen, who attacked the police with molotov cocktails. Nine police officers were injured during the riots.
More news
