Ahern challenges Paisley over attack on McAleese

THE bitter political row sparked by Ian Paisley’s attack on President Mary McAleese intensified last night as Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern warned the DUP leader his remarks were “unacceptable”.

The two clashed as London and Dublin launched a new push for power-sharing with all-party talks.

Mr Ahern described his exchange of views with Rev Paisley as "robust" after the DUP chief caused outrage by branding the Irish President "dishonest".