McGuinness planned the firing of shots over coffin in church grounds
Bishop ordered ban on paramilitary trappings which ended only with McGuinness’s own funeral
Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness (right) at the funeral of Patrick Kelly. Photograph: PA Wire
Martin McGuinness personally planned the firing of a volley of shots over the coffin of an IRA man within church grounds, in what became one of the most significant clashes between the Catholic Church and the Provos during the Troubles, according to newly declassified files.
The controversial incident was “a godsend for Gerry Adams” at the time who needed an “emotive issue” to get re-elected, a secret Irish government contact told a diplomat.