People urged to pray for Paisley
political leaders in the North have urged people to pray for Ian Paisley, who last night remained seriously ill in hospital.
First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have both been in contact with the 85-year-old's family as they maintained a vigil at his bedside.
Dr Paisley continued to be treated in intensive care for suspected heart failure.
The former first minister was rushed to the hospital on Sunday, just 10 days after preaching his final sermon as a church minister.
Close family have remained with him at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, on the eastern outskirts of Belfast.
A spokesman for Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness said: "The First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. . . have offered their best wishes to Dr Paisley and his family and call on the community to give prayerful support to Ian and his family at this time."
Mr Paisley is a former moderator and founding member of the Free Presbyterian Church and was MP for north Antrim for almost 40 years.
After withdrawing from church and public life he was planning to write his autobiography.
Irish Independent
