SINN FÉIN’S MARTIN McGuinness had an unfortunate slip of the tongue while speaking in the Northern Assembly earlier today.

Answering a question on efforts to combat sectarianism in football, the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland mixed up the IRA – an organisation he has been long linked to – and the Irish Football Association (IFA).

The slip provoked laughter in the chamber with McGuinness laughing himself as he reiterated “the point that they have gone away, you know”.

The incident even led to McGuinness himself joking about it on his Facebook page, posting a link to the clip with a ‘Whoops!’ and tweeting: “There’s many a slip twixt tongue and lip !!”

Watch:

YouTube: Hugh O’Connell

Hat tip: BBC News

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Video: Martin McGuinness mixes up his IFA and his IRA

Read: Martin McGuinness appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead

Read: Gerry Adams: ‘I’ll certainly lead Sinn Féin into the next election’

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.