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Ian Paisley seriously ill in Belfast hospital after heart scare

Family at bedside of DUP leader and former First Minister

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 8:18 AM

Updated Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 10:44 AM

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Ian Paisley’s family are at his bedside in a Belfast hospital after the politician and preacher suffered a suspected heart attack.

Paisley is in intensive care at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald after suffering ‘acute heart problems’.

Wife Eileen, son Ian Junior MP, and daughter Rhonda are by the 85-year-old’s side after his health scare.

The former Northern Ireland First Minister and DUP founder was admitted to hospital near Belfast on Sunday.

His latest scare comes a year after Paisley was fitted with a pacemaker.

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A statement issued on behalf of his wife Eileen said: “She requests that the family's privacy be respected at this difficult time.

“No further statement or information will be issued at this time.”

Just 10 days ago, Paisley preached his final sermon as a minister.

He is a former moderator and founding member of the Free Presbyterian Church and was MP for North Antrim for almost 40 years.

Members of the DUP parliamentary party said prayers for Paisley at their weekly meeting in Stormont.

“We were just told he was unwell and in hospital. That was all,” said one party member.

It is believed Paisley was starting to write his autobiography after his retirement from the Church.

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12 Comments

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gobdawpaddy | Feb 10, 2012, 05:19 AM EST

Johnnyb, you will eventually get used to and ignore certain of the mutant 'contributions' from some posters here. As I observed in a previous post on this story, most mature people have left this sort of hatred in the past.

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ciaradexy | Feb 08, 2012, 12:46 PM EST

Ian paisley was one of the architects of peace in the Island I live in so I respect the man. Get well soon Mr P.

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johhnyb | Feb 08, 2012, 09:52 AM EST

If Pounder's and Tommymccarthy's comments don't rate as hate speech, what does?

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tommymccarthy | Feb 08, 2012, 08:29 AM EST

really hope it's a long and lingering illness the bastard has let him suffer

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IrelandNorth | Feb 08, 2012, 05:41 AM EST

Come on guys. We're all supposed to be Christians, of whatever shade or hue. Give the guy a break. O.K. He's had a colourful history, but he did move his community towards the centre in the end, like his other chuckle brother Martin Guerre. Actually always like the guy, even as a Southern Fenian Papist Idolator (SFPI).

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Murph46 | Feb 07, 2012, 04:29 PM EST

Maybe he can get a transplant -from a Catholic

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Murph46 | Feb 07, 2012, 01:44 PM EST

Be still my heart!

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CelticQueenUSA | Feb 07, 2012, 01:42 PM EST

I don't like him and won't miss him.

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SeamusMartin | Feb 07, 2012, 01:40 PM EST

BLESSED BE THE PEACEMAKERS.