Northern Ireland

Lord Kilclooney recalls how 'two strong Irish republicans' saved him from Dublin mob

Lord Kilclooney recalls how he was rescued from a mob at an event at UCD in 1970.
Lord Kilclooney recalls how he was rescued from a mob at an event at UCD in 1970. Lord Kilclooney recalls how he was rescued from a mob at an event at UCD in 1970.

FORMER UUP deputy leader Lord Kilclooney has recalled how "two very strong Irish republicans" saved him from an angry mob following an appearance at University College Dublin in 1970.

John Taylor, then a parliamentary secretary to Stormont's Minister for Home Affairs, said he was reminded of the episode after reading Dr Eamon Phoenix's On This Day column in The Irish News.

Missiles were thrown at the unionist politician, who said he remembered being rescued from the crowd by two men.

"I have a clear recollection of the incident," he said.

"Of course glass bottles, ball bearings, coins etc were thrown and it was dangerous.

"But I remember two very strong Irish republicans who intervened on my behalf, and stated that, much as they disagreed with unionism, they upheld the right of freedom of speech and called for an end to the violence.

"It confirmed to me the clear difference between genuine Irish republicans and mere Irish nationalist thugs".

The former MP, MEP and Stormont minister, now cross-bench peer in the House of Lords, added: "It is in all our interests in our island that we co-operate and respect each other."