Peter Robinson - The Invasion of Clontibret

Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, on 7th August 1986 Robinson led an invasion of 500 loyalists into the village of Clontibret, County Monaghan, in the south of Ireland. The loyalists entered the Garda station in the village and physically assaulted two Garda officers, and then held a quasi-military drill in the square. Robinson was later arrested. He pleaded guilty to unlawful assembly and was fined IR£17,500 at Drogheda Court. Since then he has been known in some quarters as Peter Punt, on account of the fact that he bought his way out of having to serve jail time by forking out the 17 grand to the enemy southern government. As a result of this charade, Robinson briefly resigned from the deputy leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party. Of course, he later returned to this role.

However, Robinsons arrest in Monaghan didnt deter him from flirting with loyalist paramilitarism, as he also took up a role in Ulster Resistance when it was formed in November 1986 as an alternative means to organise opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

And this is the man who keeps a straight face when he condemns Sinn Féins links with the Provo's.

What is even more hypocritical was Robinsons speech at the DUPs 2004 conference when he stated: Youll remember the photograph of Gerry with his dark glasses, black gloves and beret. He was correct but we also remember Peter in a similar get-up in his Ulster Resistance uniform.

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[padraic2001eire]

Glad you didn't include some stupid snide remark about Robinson's wife. Attacking a politician for his personal problems is ad hominem and lousy. Robinson was wrong to invade Clontibret, but that has nothing to do with his marital situation, particular since revelations about his wife's affair didn't emerge for another two decades. And yes, if you are a person who posts some cheap-shot comment about Iris Robinson here, you are an idiot!

[Joseph Dwyer]

I do agree with you.

Although Iris and Peter must be critised for their comdemnation of the Gay community and citing the scriptures as their sole reason for this. Then being guilty of equally sinful acts and seeking sympathy which they themselves would not give unto others.

[Bosco239]

It's hard to believe that only a few year later his wife would be banging a 16 year old.

[CianDub]

what a bunch of idiots...

[cosmictimes]

The IRA's mass murder and bombing campaign sent even the most intelligent of people crazy for a while during the 70's and 80's.

[jamrockergc]

would you condemn this mr Robinson????

[Jonathan Po]

LOL

[manicbassa]

500 cunts attack a sleepy village.....what happened them when they went to Dundalk? hahahaha stupid pricks

[HLecterPHD]

lol. they knocked over a few bins and ran away but got caught.

lets make a banjo song about it ...and compare it to cromwell. lol.

the whole situation is just 1 big facepalm. lol. pathetic.

[BlackIrish1916]

and thats the man who leads this part of this country lol

[seannfin]

really brave

[proslas]

Great piece of work! Thanks for sharing. No reason to look at the privat live of a man but look on the politics he supports and you know what you have to think of him. As it had been said: "Don't look what I'm saying but look what I'm doing. Who the h*** is believing that he changed from Saulus to Paulus and is now a man of peace and honesty.