Martin McGuinness 'target of rocket launcher assassination plot'

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has claimed dissident republicans wanted to use a rocket launcher to kill him.

McGuiness said he was warned of the CIRA (Continuity) IRA plot to kill him by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

He sparked anger among hardline republicans when he met the Queen in 2012.

But the Sinn Fein MLA said he would not be "silenced or deterred" by death threats from people who are "only interested in plunging us back into the past".

"I have been made aware the PSNI has discovered a plan to launch a rocket attack against me," McGuinness said in a statement.

"The PSNI has said that a group calling itself 'CIRA' considered an attack against me using a rocket launcher."

"If those behind this threat think they have the ability to destroy the peace agreements which have been endorsed by the overwhelming majority of the people of Ireland then they are clearly detached from reality.

"They need to wise up, listen to the people of Ireland and abandon these futile actions.

"This threat will not stop me or anyone in Sinn Fein from our work in representing everyone in our society and continuing to pursue our political objectives."