Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams today cancelled his involvement in Assembly election campaigning after his father died in hospital.
Mr Gerry Adams senior, a veteran republican and a former prisoner, died after an illness at the Royal Victoria Hospital in west Belfast.
Mr Adams confirmed the news after pulling out of the party's manifesto launch for the November 26th election. The West Belfast MP read a statement from his family.
He said: "My father died this morning. He was ill for some time and on behalf of our family I wanted to thank staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital, our family doctor and all who attended to him.
"This is the second bereavement in my family circle in the last week. I will be cancelling public engagements at this time. I want to put on record that we appreciate the support and solidarity of colleagues and comrades at this time."
Mr Adams senior was a founder member of the Felons Association in West Belfast. Last week Gerry Adams' sister-in-law also died.
Sinn Féin chief negotiator Mr Martin McGuinness expressed the party's condolences to the family.
PA