AN OMAGH student has spoken of his delight about being able to witness the events which which unfolded Stormont on Monday morning.
Matthew Hagan had received the invitation from a local MLA to attend what he described as 'D day for the politicians for Northern Ireland'.
He said his first impression was of the freshly cut lawns, bushes trimmed and the white facade of the Parliament Building gleaming in the sunshine.
"I was given the chance to see the fruits of the 15-year-old Irish peace process about to be born and I did not want to miss the opportunity," said Matthew.
"On the approach to Stormont, it was clear that security couldn't have been tighter. Lessons had obviously been learnt in the wake of Michael Stone's surprise visit earlier in the year."
"After passing through the security check I entered the Great Hall of Stormont. Under the great chandeliers journalists and camera men shuffled back and forth desperate for any information or a glimpse of the famous couple.
"I then meet Barry McElduff MLA, whose invitation had granted me access to the building. Barry ran through the order of events for the day and led me up to the Members Dinning Room. As we reached the room, no less than four men guarded each entrance. Behind those now famous doors, for the first time in history, Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley were sitting at a table locked in face to face negotiations. It was then I realised the gravity of the situation that was unfolding before us.
"As Barry returned to his office in Stormont to catch up on some constituency work, I returned to the Great Hall in order to soak up some of the historic atmosphere which wasn't in short supply.
"To say the world's media was totally in focus would have been an exaggeration. As I glanced at a nearby television that was relaying world news I realised that the cause of Anna Nicole Smith's death in Hollywood had taken first place to the events in Stormont. But who can blame the world for growing tired of what some have described as 'the wedding of a serial runaway bride'. But on Monday the engagement was set in stone.
"Then some time later, the doors of the Members Dinning Room opened. First to emerge was Gerry Adams with his negotiating team. Gerry as usual was wearing his cool and controlled expression, while the others couldn't help but smile gleefully. Then at a slow cautious pace the towering and unforgettable figure of Ian Paisley emerged. Just before he turned to go, Ian Paisley reached over the railings and joked with reporters below. It was clear that the mood inside Stormont was beginning to match the sunshine outside.
"Shortly after, the press got what they had been longing for, the historic joint press conference by Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams. The saying that anything is possible certainly earned its worth in that room. The amazing sight of these two leaders, so viciously opposed in the past, sitting together announcing a plan for government was truly astonishing and emphasised the power of politics.
"So now it's all history, and the wedding invitations have taken the place of water bills on our doormats. May 8, the big day for the famous couple, will also prove historical, but nothing in our near future will compare to the remarkable events of March 26, 2007," concluded Matthew.
