Call to name new motorway after Clinton

Councillors in Co Louth want a new stretch of motorway between Belfast and Dublin to be called the Bill Clinton Highway.

The Councillors say it would honour the former US president's contribution to peace in Northern Ireland.

Mr Clinton was the first to use the new 17km stretch of road connecting Dunleer and Dundalk during his visit last month.

Councillors Terry Brennan and Frank Godfrey called on members of Louth County Council to back their plan to locally commemorate the man who put the Troubles at the top of the White House agenda.

The £107m section of road officially opens on January 26.

Cllr Godfrey also suggested changing the name of Dundalk's Market Square - scene of Mr Clinton's address to 50,000 townspeople - to President Clinton Square.

Cllr Godfrey, Mayor of Drogheda, said: "Bill Clinton is a peace-maker and has done much for Ireland. I do not think we are ever going to see his like again - a president who has given so much to Ireland. We are going to miss him."

He says that, with the Pope having visited Co Louth in 1979: "We are honoured and privileged to have had two of the great leaders here in the 'wee county' - the smallest in Ireland.

"His speech in Dundalk was very moving and the people will remember forever the day the president came to the town.

"The president was the first to actually go along that stretch of road and I think it is an excellent idea to name it after him."