McAleese to address unionist council

President Mary McAleese will address the Unionist-controlled council of Lisburn today.

President Mary McAleese will address the Unionist-controlled council of Lisburn today.

The Belfast-born President will take part in a special council meeting after an invitation from the borough's Alliance mayor, Trevor Lunn.

Mr Lunn, who will end his term as mayor later this week, welcomed Mrs McAleese's decision to come to the borough.

"I am delighted the President has accepted my invitation to visit," he said. "Both the President and her husband have very much been involved in reaching out to all communities in Northern Ireland during her term of office."

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Mrs McAleese will visit a Catholic school in the town and a Protestant school.

Unionist and nationalist councillors have been at loggerheads for many years in Lisburn, with Sinn Féin criticising the Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionists for not sharing the top posts.

A new mayor will be elected in Lisburn on Thursday.