The wife of Stormont First Minister Ian Paisley was barracked as her husband hosted Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Ballymena.

Baroness Eileen Paisley was confronted by the wife of independent unionist councillor Roy Gillespie - a one time DUP stalwart - as the Democratic Unionist leader and Mr Ahern opened the Galgorm Resort and Spa.

Ruby Gillespie told Baroness Paisley: "I am heartbroken that Dr Paisley has sold out having followed him for 40 years."

She was escorted out of the building while her husband Roy Gillespie carried a Union flag outside.




Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister was swift to condemn what he described as the 'Galgorm spectacle'.

He said: "Today's spectacle at Galgorm is yet another manifestation of the dramatic intensification in north/southery which is occurring under devolution. The architects of the Belfast Agreement should be well pleased that its trajectory towards all-island harmonisation is progressing so swiftly, and all that under the aegis of those who once saw this Belfast Agreement process for what it was.

"It seems to me that Ian Paisley, now head over heels in implementing the Belfast Agreement, has lost his political way as he stumbles towards ever-closer involvement with Dublin. Northern Ireland is part of the UK economy, our future lies there, not within the flawed eurozone to which the Republic belongs, so when Ian Paisley talks nonsensically about, "I think we are into the march and we have not even seen the march overseers", frankly, I haven't a clue what he's talking about. Does anyone?

One thing that is becoming increasingly clear to me, however, is that the cause and centrality of the Union is being undermined by the runaway enthusiasm of the DUP for the all-island agenda."


Ian Paisley and Bertie Ahern jointly opened the new resort and spa in Ballymena this morning (Friday).

The first minister and taoiseach united in a bid to bolster tourism, as they officially open Galgorm Resort and Spa (more here).

Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern made an official visit to the town last year.

A spokesman for the Taoiseach said they would discuss important matters during the meeting.

"Mr Ahern and Mr Paisley are expected to discuss political and economic developments in Northern Ireland and increasing cross-border co-operation with the Republic," he said.

Last year, Mr Paisley and Mr Ahern visited the site of the 1690 Battle of the Boyne in County Meath.

Mr Ahern and Mr Paisley agreed to the visit after talks in Dublin between the two men.

Mr Paisley said it showed "how far we have come when we can celebrate and learn from the past".