Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has admitted he is seriously ill and has decided to quit frontline politics because he is not “in a physical state” to fight an election campaign.

Mr McGuinness resigned as Northern Ireland's deputy first minister last week in protest against the handling of a botched energy scheme, forcing a snap election.

He has now revealed that after "a lot of thinking" he will not be contesting those elections due to ill health. </s> Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness, the former deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, has told the Press Association he is quitting frontline politics to concentrate on recovering from “a very serious illness”. </s> On Thursday Martin McGuinness signalled the end of an era in modern Irish politics by announcing he will not stand in the Assembly elections in March and that he will now retire from frontline electoral politics.

The Sinn Féin leader spoke to the ‘Journal’ at the Bishop’s Gate Hotel this afternoon.

See also: Martin McGuinness to retire from frontline electoral politics

And: Timeline: Martin McGuinness </s> Tributes are being paid to Martin McGuinness, who’s stepping down from active politics in the North.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny says he is sorry to learn that the former Deputy First Minister has decided not to contest the forthcoming election due to poor health.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has extended his best wishes, and Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan says his positive contribution to political discourse on the island will be missed.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has expressed heartfelt thanks to Mr McGuinness.

Mr McGuinness says he’s confident that a new generation of leaders can take his place within Sinn Féin: </s> Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander and until last week, the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, announced Thursday he is retiring from politics.

McGuinness stepped down as deputy first minister of the region on January 10 in protest of the handling of an energy scheme by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). That decision prompted a snap Northern Ireland Assembly election that is due to be held March 2.

In a statement released Thursday, McGuinness said he had originally planned to step down in May.

“Unfortunately, my health and the current crisis have overtaken this timeframe and I am stepping down from my role to make way for a new leader of Sinn Féin in the North,” he said.

McGuinness said he’s determined to play a “full and enthusiastic” role as a Sinn Fein activist, and reiterated his support for the unification of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“It remains my own personal and political ambition to break the link with Britain and to unite all who share this island under the common banner of Irish men and women.”

Among the first to react to the news was Sinn Fein colleague Gerry Adams.

“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Martin McGuinness. He and I first met over 45 years ago behind the barricades in Free Derry and we have been friends and comrades since that time.” </s> Martin McGuinness is to resign at 5pm on Monday as deputy first minister of the Northern Ireland executive in protest against the Democratic Unionist party’s handling of a botched renewable energy scheme, Sinn Féin has said.

In a letter to the speaker of the Northern Ireland assembly, McGuinness said Arlene Foster’s decision not to stand aside over the affair was “not credible or tenable”. He added that Sinn Féin would not nominate a replacement and that there should now be an election. </s> An emotional Martin McGuinness spoke to friends and comrades in Derry this evening.

“I’ll be a republican 'till the day I die and I’m going to work for Sinn Féin 'till the day I die," he said.

“I’ll always be very proud to be from the Bogside.

“I’ve ended up in many famous places throughout the world. The White House, the Oval Office, but my heart lies in the Bogside.”

Tribute are being paid to Martin McGuinness this evening, as he plans to step aside as Deputy First Minister in May, ten years after first taking the role.

Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, is leading tributes to Martin McGuinness after he announced he is stepping down as the party's leader in Northern Ireland.

"Whatever people may think of Martin McGuinness, I’m sure that most people would concede that for ten years he broke his back trying to make that office work," Adams said.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that he acknowledges the remarkable political journey that Martin McGuinness has undertaken.

“I am sorry to learn that Martin McGuinness has decided not to contest the forthcoming election due to his poor health.

“While Martin and I may not always have seen eye-to-eye on every issue, I readily acknowledge the remarkable political journey that he has undertaken.

“I know that Martin remains firmly committed to delivering a peaceful and prosperous society for all of the people of Northern Ireland.

“He was one of the key architects of the Good Friday Agreement, and a tireless and committed champion of the Peace Process.

“I wish Martin and his family well for the future and I hope that his health will now be his absolute priority in the time ahead.”

Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has wished Martin McGuinness a speedy recovery and praised his contribution to the "good things" they achieved while in government together.

Mrs Foster said: "Martin McGuinness and I have had our political differences and we come from very different angles of vision.

"While the current political situation is not what any of us would wish and there is much work to be done to return stable government to Northern Ireland I nonetheless value the good things achieved by the outgoing Executive and the contribution made by Mr McGuinness to it.

"Despite all that has happened I wish Martin McGuinness a speedy recovery and that he and his wife are able to enjoy time with their family away from the relentless focus of public life."

Former First Minister Peter Robinson has said he is praying for Martin McGuinness to overcome his serious illness.

The ex-Democratic Unionist leader also said he hopes his former power-sharing partner and long-time political foe has time to enjoy the simple things in life.

In a statement to the Press Association he said: "Martin will discover, as I have, that there is much to rejoice in having more time with family, and less stress with the removal of the responsibilities of office.

"I pray that he overcomes his health challenges and has the time to do the simple things I know he loves - spending time with his grandchildren, fishing and watching football."

The Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has also wished him well and says his positive contribution to political discourse on the island will be missed.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane has been looking at Martin McGuinness's legacy: “Over the next number of days the focus obviously will be on the legacy of Martin McGuinness.

"And I see him obviouisly as a peacemaker, a statesman, as someone who has made an enormous contribution to politics both north and south.

"And I think that his legacy will be marked out by his incredible leadership, the fact that he was able to reach out to Unionists, the people who would not vote for him.

"He certainly saw himself as a leader and as a politician who would represent all of the people of Ireland.

Mary Lou McDonald said, "words can't fully express the thanks we owe you the confidence you give us how proud we are of you." </s> Martin McGuinness has announced his resignation as Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland in protest at the Democratic Unionist Party's handling of a botched renewable energy scheme.

The Sinn Fein veteran's move, which will come into effect at 5pm on Monday, is likely to lead to a snap Assembly election in the region.

Mr McGuinness announced his decision after his partner in government, DUP First Minister Arlene Foster, repeatedly refused to step down to facilitate a probe into the ill-fated Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) - a scheme that has left Stormont facing a £490 million overspend. </s> McGuinness stepped down as deputy first minister of the region on January 10 in protest of the handling of an energy scheme by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). That decision prompted a snap Northern Ireland Assembly election that is due to be held March 2.

"Unfortunately, my health and the current crisis have overtaken this timeframe and I am stepping down from my role to make way for a new leader of Sinn Féin in the North," he said.

McGuinness said he's determined to play a "full and enthusiastic" role as a Sinn Fein activist, and reiterated his support for the unification of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

"It remains my own personal and political ambition to break the link with Britain and to unite all who share this island under the common banner of Irish men and women." 3 of us in the car crying over Martin McGuinness. — Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) January 19, 2017 Among the first to react to the news was Sinn Fein colleague Gerry Adams. "I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Martin McGuinness. He and I first met over 45 years ago behind the barricades in Free Derry and we have been friends and comrades since that time."
Sinn Féin politician Martin McGuinness retires from politics for health reasons.