Taoiseach’s visit ‘angered’ McGuinness
On nationalist reaction, the NIO official wrote: “For Sinn Fein, Dr FitzGerald’s visit could not have come at a worse time as it coincided with the launch of their election manifesto in Belfast.
Martin McGuinness, then a Sinn Fein assemblyman for Derry, hit out at the visit by referring to press photographs of Dr FitzGerald shaking hands with an RUC officer.
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Hide Ad“The image of Garret FitGerald shaking hands with a loyalist gunman,” said Mr. McGuinness, “should stick in the minds of nationalists as they go to the polls on May 15 [council elections].”
SG Hewitt’s memo added: “Judging by Sinn Fein reaction, the visit is likely to boost the SDLP’s election prospects.”