State Papers: President McAleese husband’s contacts with UDA took on ‘life of own’, ambassador heard

Dr McAleese was also keen to establish contact with someone on the 'military side' of the UVF

Former President Mary McAleese (centre) and husband Martin (right) are welcomed to Taughmonagh primary school by Loyalist leader, Jackie McDonald (left). Declassified files show that engagements included Martin McAleese laying on a coach for loyalist leaders to attend a golf outing, but they refused it over concerns that it would look 'too much like a UDA day-trip'.

Contacts between former Irish President Mary McAleese's husband and UDA leaders in Northern Ireland took on "a life of their own", a British government official said in 2003.

Declassified files show that engagements included Martin McAleese laying on a coach for loyalist leaders to attend a golf outing, but they refused it over concerns that it would look "too much like a UDA day-trip".