The DUP did not send a representative to the inauguration of Catherine Connolly as President of Ireland.
Stormont’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly confirmed that she had received an invitation to the Dublin Castle event but could not attend as she had a “number of other commitments."
The party separately confirmed that it would not send a representative to the Dublin Castle event.
“I have received an invitation for the inauguration events for the Irish President on Tuesday but it will not be possible for me to accept due to a number of other commitments in Belfast and Windsor,” said Little-Pengelly in a statement.
“Tuesday marks Remembrance Day, an important day for so many. I am scheduled to attend a service to participate in an Act of Remembrance in Parliament Buildings before travelling to Windsor Castle at the invitation of Their Majesties, The King and Queen for a special reception to commemorate VJ Day 80th Anniversary to honour veterans of the Second World War, and in particular of the Pacific on this day of remembrance. It is therefore not possible to also attend the inauguration.
“I wish Catherine Connolly well as she takes up office, recognising that this is undoubtedly a significant personal honour for her, and I hope to speak with her personally in the next number of days.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson denied that his party had snubbed Connolly who is Ireland’s tenth President.
“It is not a snub,” he told reporters. “I was personally invited by the Taoiseach. I received the invitation on Thursday last week. I personally responded to him on Friday to indicate that whilst I recognised the significance of this event for his nation, I trust that he in turn recognises the significance of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
“That is just how it is and I think he has accepted that.”
He added: “We don’t need to make more out of this than there is. There is a clash and that clash has been accepted by the majority of people.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin attended a Remembrance Sunday gathering in Enniskillen where he laid a wreath.
