Divisive Northern Irish politician Ian Paisley dead at 88

Revered Northern Irish politician Ian Paisley has died at his home in Belfast. The divisive Protestant who devoted his life to thwarting compromise with Catholics in his homeland only to become a leading peacemaker passed away on Friday (12Sep14), aged 88.
Tributes from his supporters and former critics have poured in, with former Irish Republican Army commander Martin McGuinness stating, “I developed a close working relationship with him which developed into a friendship, which despite our many differences lasted beyond his term in office.”
Paisley founded the evangelical Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster and the Democratic Unionist Party and led many rallies against the Catholics in Northern Ireland.
He once declared there wasn’t “a snowball’s chance in hell” he’d work with the IRA’s politicians in Sinn Fein, but he formed an alliance with the political party’s leader, Gerry Adams, in 2007 after Sinn Fein voted to support the police and accept the legitimacy of the Northern Ireland state for the first time.
Peace reigned over the country as Paisley appeared alongside Adams on TV to declare that their two parties were willing to work together and the DUP leader formed a four-party government with Adams’ deputy, McGuiness.
Paisley stepped down as leader of the government and the Democratic Unionists in 2008 and he retired from the House of Commons in London in 2010 and from Northern Ireland’s Assembly in 2011.
He was honoured with the title Lord Bannside and served in the upper House of Lords.
He is survived by his wife Eileen, three daughters, two sons and many grandchildren. A public memorial service is being planned.