While he was not exactly a regular visitor to Dundalk over the years, the passing of former Northern Irish first minister Ian Paisley will generate much debate over the next few days.
A visit by the former DUP leader to Dundalk in August 1986 will certainly go down as one of the most memorable, if unfortunate, incidents of many people’s lives as riots rocked the town.
The unfortunate incident, captured in video format above, came about following a court appearance in the town by Deputy DUP leader Peter Robinson and his Paisley.
Hundreds of Gardai in riot gear were brought into Dundalk for the day and all cars entering town were searched.
The town virtually closed down for the duration of the court appearance and Mr Robinson and Paisley were escorted from the Border and virtually smuggled into court via a back door.
A large crowd gathered in the town centre and protestors were escorted by Gardai. This did not stop some protestors tearing up ‘Ulster Says No” banners.
The court case itself was over in minutes when Justice T.P. O’Reilly adjourned the matter to Ballybay for the following October, but after the DUP leaders were escorted out of town there was a minor ourbreak of trouble in Church Street.
Some protestors positioned themselves in unoccupied buildings in the street where they threw petrol bombs at Loyalist supporters of the DUP leadership who were being escorted out of town by the Gardai.
The incident was condemned by Mr. Paisley, but two hours after the court case the town returned to normal and there was widespread praise for the Gardai for the manner in which they handled a very difficult incident.
Talk of the Town 