Police are investigating claims that a loyalist mob yesterday attacked a car carrying Sinn Féin's Mr Martin McGuinness and Mr Philip McGuigan, a local councillor.
The party said the incident took place outside Ballymoney Council offices in Co Antrim when the car carrying the two Sinn Féin representatives turned up for a scheduled meeting just before 4 p.m. in Charles Street.
Mr McGuinness said: "On our arrival at the offices a crowd of around a dozen loyalists had obviously been made aware of my visit and began to attack my car. Stones and bottles were thrown and the mob kicked and punched the car. Serious damage was caused before we were able to get away." He said the incident was dangerous:
"They weren't able to break the windows, but it wasn't for the want of trying. It was a very determined effort. But it was clear these people had foreknowledge that I was going to be at the council offices."
"The attack was specifically aimed at my car," said Mr McGuinness. "We were quite surprised at the development and some local people are angry at what has happened, but I would caution everyone to remain calm with people who have angry emotions at this and may wish to take their anger out on others."
He said he regarded the incident as evidence of the inability of "certain sections of loyalism and unionism to come to terms with change".