HOARSE of voice and frail in demeanour, the Martin McGuinness who announced his resignation from Northern Ireland's government on January 9th was a different figure to the strapping Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander that the public once knew. Mr McGuinness's transformation over the past few decades, from a member of a terrorist organisation to the region's second-most senior politician, exemplifies the change that Northern Ireland has undergone. Now his resignation from office-and, perhaps, permanent withdrawal from politics—has created a crisis in the region at a time when it already faces grave threats to its stability.
展开▼
