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Leading Republican Martin Meehan dies aged 62

A leading republican has been found dead Martin Meehan in north Belfast.

It's understood Mr Meehan, a lifelong republican, first in the IRA and later as a Sinn Fein election candidate, died in his sleep.

Aged 62, he was a former Belfast docker who became an IRA leader at the start of the Troubles.

Imprisoned twice, both times for kidnapping British soldiers in his native Ardoyne, he escaped from Crumlin Road jail through its drainage system and was a larger than life figure.

In later years he fully supported the IRA ceasefire and was involved in outreach work to loyalists after discovering his grandfather was killed in Belgium fighting for the British Army in the First World War.

His wife, Briege, is a Sinn Fein councillor who recently came under dissident republican death threat.

Just last night, suspicious devices were found at the couple's home.

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