McAleese Runs Gauntlet in Derry

Irish President Mary McAleese was jeered and barracked by a group of loyalist protesters as she visited a primary school in Coleraine on Tuesday last.

Mrs McAleese and her husband Martin were subjected to sectarian abuse as they arrived for a visit to Millburn Primary school.

Around 50 demonstrators gathered at the school gates to show their opposition to the president's visit. Carrying placards and waving Union flags, some of the protesters shouted 'No surrender' and 'We don't want you here,' while branding the visitors as 'republican scum.'

The group also made reference to controversial comments made by Mrs McAleese three years ago when she compared Protestant attitudes to Catholics during The Troubles as similar to the situation in Nazi Germany before the war.

They also claimed the school did not properly consult with the local community about whether or not her visit should go ahead.

Earlier the school's principal, John Platt, said he had been intimidated over the visit.