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Ian Paisley: Private funeral for former DUP leader | Ian Paisley: Private funeral for former DUP leader |
(35 minutes later) | |
The funeral of Ian Paisley, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader and first minister of Northern Ireland, will take place later. | The funeral of Ian Paisley, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader and first minister of Northern Ireland, will take place later. |
He will be buried in County Down, following a private funeral service at his family home in east Belfast. | He will be buried in County Down, following a private funeral service at his family home in east Belfast. |
Mr Paisley, who stepped down from politics in 2008, passed away on Friday, aged 88. | Mr Paisley, who stepped down from politics in 2008, passed away on Friday, aged 88. |
As a mark of respect, Northern Ireland Assembly business has been suspended as MLAs pay tributes in the chamber. | As a mark of respect, Northern Ireland Assembly business has been suspended as MLAs pay tributes in the chamber. |
His successor as first minister and DUP leader, Peter Robinson, told MLAs: "Ian Paisley was a remarkable man, whose long career in public life has left an indelible mark upon all of us who knew him. | |
"Like so many , I was drawn towards politics by the clarity, the certainty, the strength and the conviction of his message." | |
The first minister said Mr Paisley had "taken his place in the chronicles of Ulster history, alongside the greats of unionism". | |
Mr Robinson added that since his death, politics seemed "a little less colourful and exciting". | |
"Ulster will never see the like of him again, he was an exceptional human being," he said. | |
After the tributes, MLAs will sign a book of condolence in Stormont's Great Hall - members of the public are also invited to do so. | |
A book of condolence opened at Belfast City Hall on Monday, where the union flag is flying at half-mast. | A book of condolence opened at Belfast City Hall on Monday, where the union flag is flying at half-mast. |
A spokeswoman for Belfast City Council said the flag had been displayed under the College of Arms policy. | A spokeswoman for Belfast City Council said the flag had been displayed under the College of Arms policy. |
The policy states the flag should fly at half-mast to mark the the funerals of first ministers and ex-first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | The policy states the flag should fly at half-mast to mark the the funerals of first ministers and ex-first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
All DUP constituency offices will be closed on Monday, as a mark of respect to its founder and former leader. | All DUP constituency offices will be closed on Monday, as a mark of respect to its founder and former leader. |
Several books of condolence for Mr Paisley were opened in towns and cities in Northern Ireland on Saturday. | Several books of condolence for Mr Paisley were opened in towns and cities in Northern Ireland on Saturday. |
Mr Paisley moved from a political "never man" to Northern Ireland's first minister. | Mr Paisley moved from a political "never man" to Northern Ireland's first minister. |
He ended up leading a power-sharing executive at Stormont - although he had supported the strike to bring one down 30 years earlier. | He ended up leading a power-sharing executive at Stormont - although he had supported the strike to bring one down 30 years earlier. |
Mr Paisley was a founder of the Free Presbyterian Church in 1951 after a split with the Presbyterian Church - he resigned as as moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church in 2008. | Mr Paisley was a founder of the Free Presbyterian Church in 1951 after a split with the Presbyterian Church - he resigned as as moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church in 2008. |
In 2011, he told the congregation at Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church in south Belfast that he was stepping down from ministry. | In 2011, he told the congregation at Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church in south Belfast that he was stepping down from ministry. |