And vigils were held across Ireland Tuesday to mourn the death of politician and former IRA leader Martin McGuinness. McGuinness served as the commander of the Irish Republican Army during Northern Ireland’s struggle for independence. He later served as the chief negotiator for Sinn Féin, the IRA’s political arm, and helped broker the 1998 peace deal known as the Good Friday Agreement. This is Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams.

Gerry Adams: “Martin was, as we all know, a very passionate Irish republican. He believed in our people, people of this island should be free. He believed in reconciliation. He worked very, very hard at all of that. He was also a very proud Derry man. He was steeped in the city of Derry and the county of Derry and Donegal. So, we are very, very sad that we lost him overnight.”

Martin McGuinness died Tuesday at the age of 66.