THE first minister Carwyn Jones has paid tribute to the former Northern Ireland deputy first minister Martin McGuinness who has died.

He said: “Martin was vital in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. I worked closely with him over many years at British Irish Councils, Joint Ministerial Councils and beyond. When he spoke, people listened. That presence explains much about how he was able to build bridges across the political divide. My thoughts are with his family and friends today.”

The ex-IRA commander and Sinn Fein veteran has died aged 66 after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition at the end of last year. He died in hospital overnight in his hometown of Derry surrounded by family members.

Mr McGuinness’s last major act as a politician was to pull down the powersharing executive at Stormont when he resigned as deputy first minister in January in protest at the Democratic Unionists’ handling of a green energy scandal.

Ten days later, showing signs of physical frailty, he announced his retirement from front line politics. Mr McGuinness was a former IRA leader in Derry who went on to play a pivotal role in the peace process. His remarkable journey from gunman to statesman saw him shake hands with the Queen and forge an unlikely friendship with erstwhile foe Ian Paisley.

Mr McGuinness, who lived in the Bogside area of Derry his whole life, is survived by his wife Bernie and four children. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams paid tribute to his lifelong friend. “Throughout his life Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness,” he said.

“He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country. “But above all he loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both.”

Prime Minister Theresa May said Mr McGuinness “played a defining role” in leading the Republican movement away from violence. “First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of Martin McGuinness at this sad time,” she said.

“While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the republican movement away from violence. “In doing so, he made an essential and historic contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace.”

Democratic Unionist leader and former Stormont first minister Arlene Foster said she offered “sincere condolences”. “Today’s news will come as a shock to many people,” she said.

“First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. “My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and the family circle at this very painful time of grief and loss.” She said history would record differing views on Mr McGuinness but he had played a pivotal role in bringing the republican movement toward peace.

During their time in office as first and deputy first minister, Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness earned the nickname the “Chuckle brothers”. President of Ireland Michael D Higgins led tributes from the Republic, saying Mr McGuinness’s death leaves a gap that will be hard to fill.

“The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland,” he said.

Mr Higgins said Mr McGuinness made an immense contribution to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Extending sympathy to Mr McGuinness’s wife and children, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: “It is appropriate that we reflect on Martin’s remarkable journey, made possible by men and women from all traditions across this island who forged a peace process from the fire of a terrible conflict.

“History will record his political career as a journey – one born in a tradition of violence but, in a testament to Martin’s character, that arrived at his true calling in politics, people and the art of persuasion.

“Those who knew him will know that his warm and affable nature undoubtedly made it easier to reach beyond his own political base.

“The generosity that he displayed in developing relationships with Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson demonstrated a rare gift that came as much from his personality as his politics. It is that gift which is needed in our politics at this moment.”