A Protestant victims' group has criticised the Rev Ian Paisley's move to agree a devolution deal with Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.
William Frazer, head of Families Acting for Innocent Relatives, which represents victims of IRA and other republican violence mostly in the Armagh area, said he was "disappointed but not surprised" that the DUP had agreed to share power with Sinn Féin in a new administration on May 8th.
Mr Frazer's father, two uncles and two cousins were murdered by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles, while other relatives were also injured.
He said yesterday that many in his extended family had joined the British army and police during the Troubles, but yesterday some in his family said if they knew such a deal would happen "they never would have joined".
He hoped there would be no more violence but did not trust Sinn Féin and the IRA to honour their commitments.
William Harpur, a disabled former police officer from Sion Mills near Strabane, Co Tyrone, who survived four IRA murder attempts although he was badly injured in a shooting, said he felt "sick in his stomach" after seeing coverage of Dr Paisley meeting Mr Adams.
However, another disabled former police officer, who was injured physically and mentally in an IRA bombing, said he supported the deal.
"It is a pity the politicians could not have done this 40 years ago and 3,500 people would be alive today."
