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Page last updated at 11:45 GMT, Wednesday, 8 October 2008 12:45 UK

Politicians mourn leader's mother

martin McGuinness carries his mother Peggy's coffin
Martin McGuinness carries his mother Peggy's coffin through the Bogside

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral in Derry of Peggy McGuinness, the mother of the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Mrs McGuinness, who was 84, died at her home on Monday after a short illness.

Among those at the funeral were the Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, former SDLP leader John Hume, and former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds.

At Requiem Mass at St Columba's church, Father Roland Colhoun described Mrs McGuinness as "a woman of substance".

"She was a very good woman, whose neighbours spoke of her many thoughtful deeds, showing constant consideration for them," he said.

Mrs McGuinness will be buried in her home town of Buncrana.

On Monday, the First Minister Peter Robinson paid tribute to Mrs McGuinness, telling the Assembly that anyone who spoke to Mr McGuinness would know how close he was to his mother.

SDLP leader and Foyle MP Mark Durkan said Mrs McGuinness was "a very kindly woman with real charm".


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