Clergyman breaks silence on snub

Mr Armstrong was forced out of Limavady in the 1980s

A former Presbyterian minister has, for the first time, spoken on a council's decision to refuse him a civic honour.

David Armstrong was forced to leave Limavady in the 1980s after exchanging Christmas greetings with Catholic parish priest Fr Kevin Mullan.

He said he was disappointed by Limavady Council's rejection of a proposal last month to give him the freedom of the borough along with Fr Mullan.

The motion was defeated by unionist councillors.

The vote for the SDLP motion was 8-6 in favour, but the necessary two-thirds majority was not reached.

Mr Armstrong is now a Church of Ireland clergyman based in County Cork.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sequence, he said: "It would have been lovely, particularly for my children, but probably one day, my grandchildren, to be able to go into Limavady and be told by all and sundry, this is the town where your grandfather used to preach love you neighbour."

Mr Armstrong left Limavady after receiving loyalist death threats over his Christmas message of goodwill to Fr Mullen.