Paisley 'must not attend La Mon'

Twelve people were killed and many more badly burned on 17 February 1978

DUP leader Ian Paisley has been asked to stay away from a memorial service for the victims of an IRA bombing.

Relatives of some victims of the La Mon Hotel attack have requested the first minister does not attend a 30th anniversary commemoration.

Lilly McDowell, who was injured in the 1978 attack, said Mr Paisley had let victims down by sitting in government with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.

Twelve people were killed and many more badly burned on 17 February 1978.

"I can remember Mr Paisley saying never, never, never, and saying he would not sit down with him," Ms McDowell said.

"Now you see all of this going on. I think he has forgotten all about the past."

The bomb turned the small country hotel, east of Belfast, into an inferno.

'Different opinions'

The DUP's Jeffery Donaldson said the party respected the victim's feelings.

"Dr Paisley will only go where he is invited, of course," he said.

"I understand, and we understand, the sensitivities around all of this, and we recognise that there are victims who feel that what is happening at Stormont is difficult for them to accept.

"There are others who support it, and many of them will be at Stormont tomorrow to endorse what is happening."

DUP said Mr Paisley would not go to where he was not invited

All those who died in the bombing were attending the annual dinner dance of the Irish Collie Club. Three of them were married couples and seven were women.

They were all Protestants and included a reservist in the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Billy McDowell, who was badly injured in the attack, told the Dublin-based Sunday Tribune newspaper that Mr Paisley's relationship with Sinn Fein in the executive made him feel sick.

"Paisley should stay away from our commemoration," he told the paper.

The commemorative event is being held in Castlereagh Borough Council offices on February 17.

Other senior members of the DUP, which has a majority on the council, are expected to attend.