The Five Demands

Ian Paisley Senior dies aged 88 (UTV)

Former First Minister of Northern Ireland Ian Paisley Senior has passed away at the age of 88, it has been confirmed by his family.

Known as Lord Bannside since being made a life peer in 2010, the founder of the Free Presbyterian Church and the former DUP leader died on Friday morning.

It comes after a number of health scares in recent years.

In a statement, his wife Eileen Paisley said: “My beloved husband, Ian, entered his eternal rest this morning.

“Although ours is the grand hope of reunion, naturally as a family we are heartbroken.

We loved him and he adored us, and our earthly lives are forever changed.

Eileen Paisley
The family also confirmed that the funeral and burial will both be private and attended only by immediate family.

However, a public memorial service will be scheduled for later in the year and announced in due course.

“As a family, we appreciate that there will be an expectation by those who admired him to express their gratitude for his life and their sorrow at his passing,” Mrs Paisley added.

Tributes have been paid to a man who, once hugely divisive, made history when he first entered into a power-sharing government alongside Sinn Féin back in 2007.

Despite his past cries of “Never, never, never”, Rev Paisley was to form a solid working relationship with Martin McGuinness towards the end of his political life – and even an unlikely friendship.

I developed a close working relationship with him which developed into a friendship which, despite our many differences, lasted beyond his term in office.

Martin McGuinness, Sinn Féin
The deputy First Minister has expressed “deep regret and sadness” at the news.

“Over a number of decades, we were political opponents and held very different views on many, many issues,” Mr McGuinness said.

“But the one thing we were absolutely united on was the principle that our people were better able to govern themselves than any British government.”

He added: “I want to send my sincere sympathy to his wife Eileen, his children, and extended family.”

UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said: “There will be plenty of time to reflect on Ian Paisley’s impact on the shaping of the modern Northern Ireland and its relations with our nearest neighbours, but today is a time to give the Paisley household space to mourn.

“My sympathies to Baroness Paisley and the family.”

Alliance leader David Ford added his sympathies, noting that Rev Paisley was “one of the biggest names in Northern Ireland and British politics”.

He said: “Ian Paisley was a dedicated political representative who served the people of North Antrim for over four decades.

“His passing marks the end of the era – Northern Ireland politics will not be the same following his death.

“Although many of us opposed his actions for many years, he played a key role in getting the Northern Ireland Assembly back on track in 2007 and I commended him for his work and effort in achieving this.”

UKIP NI leader David McNarry said: “My heart goes out to Baroness Paisley and her family at this very sad time.

“‘The Doc’ or the ‘Big Man’, as he was affectionately known, treated me as a gentleman would and I am deeply saddened by this news of his death.”