Paisley Parade? Never, never, says town council

IAN Paisley has finally said “yes.” But now he’s finding out what it’s like for others to say no. And on his birthday, too.

Mr Paisley turns 81 today, but there won’t be any gift from Trim Town Council.

Its members are set to reject a suggestion by a local historian to name the town’s new street in honour of the DUP leader.

The new street will link Emmet Street and Castle Street and is due to open in the coming months.

At a meeting last month, the council decided to seek suggestions from the public on what to name the street.

Historian Noel French, who is director of the Meath Heritage Centre, proposed “Paisley Parade” — not just as a tribute to the DUP leader, but to all those who had made difficult decisions in the cause of peace in the North.

“The idea was that it was recognition of the people who had taken courageous steps to further the peace process,” he said. “It would not be dedicated to Ian Paisley alone — he’s just the latest in a long line of people who have made brave decisions.”

As such, naming the street “Paisley Parade” would be a “magnanimous” gesture, he added.

But while the suggestion was made in good faith, it met with opposition from certain councillors.

Fianna Fáil councillor Jimmy Peppard, formerly of Sinn Féin, said Mr Paisley was “the worst person” he could think of after whom to name the street.

He told the Meath Chronicle: “To call a street in Trim after him would be a huge insult.

“If Paisley Parade was given serious consideration, then he would propose Bobby Sands Street as an alternative name in honour of the IRA man who died in the hunger strikes of 1981.”

But another councillor, who preferred not be named, told this paper the Paisley Parade proposal would not be passed.

“We might be brave and bold down here in Trim, but we’re not that brave and bold,” he said.

The issue is due for discussion at next Tuesday’s meeting of the council.