The newly-elected Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Belfast will attend the opening night of the Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly on Monday after an invitation from the church.

Editor’s Note: Sinn Fein is an Irish Republican party. Its objective is to end British rule in Ireland. It seeks national self-determination, the unity and independence of Ireland as a sovereign state. Many referred to it in the past as the political arm of the IRA.

Niall O’Donnghaile (who turned 26 just days after his election as Mayor) will also attend the graduation ceremony of the Belfast Bible College in St Anne’s Cathedral four days later.

Two days ago he became the first republican Lord Mayor to visit the Shankill Road.

A City Hall spokesman said: “The Lord Mayor is looking forward keenly to fulfilling these engagements because he wants to meet people from all the communities across the city.”

A Presbyterian spokesman said: “The General Assembly invites a number of civic guests to its opening meeting when the incoming Moderator is installed.