Ivan Little presents this
report for Good Evening Ulster on the continued fallout from the 'Invasion of
Clontibret' on 7 August 1986. DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson was part of a
crowd of several hundred loyalist protestors against the Anglo-Irish Agreement
who made an incursion across the Irish border to the Co Monaghan village of
Clontibret, resulting in widespread damage to property and the attack and
hospitalisation of two Gardai officers. Having already faced a day in court in
Dundalk, which had led to widespread violence from local nationalists
protesting against the large presence of loyalist supporters, Robinson was now
taken to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.
The
report contains an interview with Robinson as he left Belfast by car and we see
security forces from the Irish Republic escorting his car on the journey to
give him protection. This time there are only minor protests by locals and
Robinson is remanded on bail to appear for trial in the New Year. He would
later plead guilty and was fined.