Assembly clashes over All-Ireland final aftermath

A row erupted at the Northern Ireland Assembly today between the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein over disturbances in Lurgan which followed the Armagh’s historic All-Ireland Final triumph.

Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee chairman Eamonn O’Neill (SDLP, South Down) and John Kelly (Sinn Fein, Mid Ulster) had requested congratulations to be sent to the team and the Derry Minor Football team, which also won an All-Ireland title, on behalf of the Assembly by the Speaker, Lord Alderdice.

However noting disturbances in Lurgan which followed the Armagh team’s victory, the Rev Ian Paisley (DUP, North Antrim) noted: “I think that people in this House are greatly saddened what took place in Lurgan yesterday when the supporters of the people who were supposed to be celebrating their victory attacked the police and attacked the Protestant people.

“And not only did (they do) that but (they) hung a tricolour on the war memorial to add insult to injury.

“And then the night previously, there was a savage attack on places of worship in Keady where the Orange Hall was painted over, the Gospel Hall was smashed up – their windows – and a beautiful stained glass window in the Presbyterian Church was smashed and the Church of Ireland church was smashed as well.

“I think that should be brought out in public as well at this time.”

Dara O’Hagan (Sinn Fein, Upper Bann) rose to her feet to deny Mr Paisley’s comments.

Accusing police and loyalists of attacking GAA supporters in Lurgan, she said: “I represent Upper Bann. I come from Lurgan.

“I know the situation that happened in Lurgan yesterday. The fact of the matter was that a crowd of GAA supporters were attacked by a unionist crowd, the RUC/PSNI.

“I think we need to correct an erroneous statement.”

The Sinn Fein MLA’s response sparked uproar on the unionist benches, with the Speaker Lord Alderdice ordering her to sit down.

He observed: “It is quite clear that we have gone well beyond points of order and we are now into points of disorder in the chamber.

“Let me advise what my ruling will be on the issue. First of all, it is entirely in order for the chairman of Culture, Arts and Leisure to bring to his committee the question whether they would like to hold a reception to celebrate this event.

“And if he does so, he knows from previous situations that if the committee wants to hold such a reception but does not have the resources to do so and he approaches the Speaker’s Office he will get the same kind of positive response in regard to this particular should it come from the committee as he had in respect to previous requests.

“I can only say I take it from what Dr Paisley says and he mentioned some concerns and Dr O’Hagan mentions her concerns about it, I would ask members to compose themselves not only on this matter but on the general business of the day.”

The Speaker quipped: “It’s a funny old place here.

“I don’t suppose I imagined that I would find nationalists demanding that Stormont have orange flags outside it and unionists expressing a degree of concern about it but that would indeed be the circumstance if Armagh were here celebrating.”