DUP and SF clash over congratulating Armagh

A row erupted at the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday between the DUP and Sinn Féin over disturbances in Lurgan after the …

A row erupted at the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday between the DUP and Sinn Féin over disturbances in Lurgan after the Armagh Gaelic football team's All-Ireland win.

A request had been made by the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee chairman, Mr Eamonn O'Neill (SDLP), and Mr John Kelly (SF) that congratulations be sent to the team and the Derry Minor 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 DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley said: "I think that people in this house are greatly saddened by 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."

Ms Dara O'Hagan of Sinn Féin, rose to her feet to deny Dr Paisley's comments and accused police and loyalists of attacking GAA supporters in Lurgan.

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Her response sparked uproar on the unionist benches, with Lord Alderdice ordering her to sit down.