Talk:Martin McGuinness

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Nice example of why Wikipedia (or any other encyclopedia) shouldn't bother with events less than 30 years old. History will not be in a position to say anything definitive about people like McGuinness until various papers are released by governments.

There is some dispute over the use of the name IRA or PIRA. The Provisional IRA are no more the PIRA and the Official IRA are the OIRA. You either refer to them as the Provisional IRA or the IRA. This has been confirmed to me by a member of Sinn Féin. I note that PIRA is used in some cases to distinguish the group but in this case it is clear that the Provisional IRA is the group refered to and there is no need for the incorrect - PIRA. Some might feel this is a pedanticism of the organisation itself and is not relevant - fair enough! Also, the use of the word "volunteers" was removed. Elsewhere on Wikipedia the term is used. There are inconsistencies. Again, people might feel it is a pedanticism of the group and is POV but calling IRA members "volunteers" is not incorrent. That is what they call themselves & that is what they are. Why shouldn't the term be used? I also do not agree with the piece abve ("Nice example of why..."). What do government papers say about McGuinness? Probably not much we don't already know about it. There is plenty of stuff on McGuinness out there. He's lived much of his life through politics and consequently has been in the public eye. Also, there are 1 or 2 very good histories of the IRA available. McGuinness's role in the organisation is well documented.

I think "IRA guerrilla" is preferable to "IRA vounteer" or "IRA terrorist". It is descriptive, fairly neutral, and the Provisionals also call themselves "guerrillas". "Volunteer" sounds less violent, more sympathetic and almost like "activist". Which is why the IRA call themselves it Kingal86 22:28, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

I think the term "Volunteer" is being misinterpreted in this circumstance.

The word itself does not impute morality to Provo provocations, but is simply a descriptive term used to reflect the organizational structure and hierarchy of the IRA.

McGuinness could have very well been a guerilla-or a terrorist, for that matter-while still maintaining his status as a "volunteer."

Ruthfulbarbarity 22:16, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

I believe the modern neutral, politically correct term is "insurgent".

1 Active service
2 Martin McGuinness' birth place
3 Birthname
4 Politics

[edit] Active service

McGuinness seems not to have denied IRA membership. Does anyone have any idea of how much active service he saw?

Active service????

Mr. McGuinness has, in the past, stated that he was "Proud to be a member of the Provisional IRA"{sic} not sure when/where he said that but will try to find out. Im not sure if he was ever on the council or executive but he has been to almost every army general convention since 1970, excluding the ones held while he was imprisoned. He did have a "substantial" role in the #1 Derry Brigade, probably at least a battalion commandant. 195.7.34.195 13:53, 30 March 2006 (UTC) K.B.

I've just added his verbatim declaration of membership from Dublin's Special Criminal Court in 1973. El Gringo 17:56, 14 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Martin McGuinness' birth place

For goodness sake could we please agree on the way we are going to write the name of Derry/Londonderry when referring to where the man was born. It has now been taken out altogether but is quite a necessary piece of information to include. I personally think that Derry is more suitable considering it is an article concerning a nationalist politician but if someone wants to include both I have no problem with that. It is very annoying to see an incomplete article like this just because people cannot seem to agree. --Spark13579 04:02, 15 March 2006 (UTC)

The compromise reached some time ago on Talk:Derry was to refer to the city as "Derry" and the county as "Londonderry". Demiurge 11:06, 15 March 2006 (UTC)
I understand that the BBC's policy when broadcasting reports concerning Derry/Londonderry is to call it Londonderry at the beginning of the report and thereafter refer to it as Derry.