The Rev Ian Paisley today met pupils at a Catholic primary school in the Democratic Unionist leader's constituency that was targeted in a sectarian attack during the summer.
Ian Paisley called for loyalists who engage in violence to be shunned by the entire community
Accompanied by Northern Secretary Peter Hain, the North Antrim MP met pupils and staff at the St Louis Primary School in Ballymena that was targeted in August as they prepared for the start of the academic year.
The school was just one of a number of Catholic properties in the north Antrim area targeted in the wave of sectarian attacks by loyalists.
Mr Paisley and Mr Hain joked with pupils during the visit about their love of football and other interests.Afterwards the DUP leader called for loyalists who engage in violence to be shunned by the entire community.
"I have no sympathy with them whatsoever," the North Antrim MP said. "The vast majority of people in Ballymena would have no sympathy with them at all.
"What we have to do now is to see how these people are isolated and that they know that all sections of the community are opposed to what they are doing."
SDLP North Antrim MLA Sean Farren welcomed the visit. "For other MPs this might be a small gesture, but for the North Antrim MP it is quite momentous given his silence through so much of the wave of sectarian attacks and intimidation during the summer," Mr Farren said.
"I hope that even at this stage, his visit may have the effect of dampening down sectarian tensions.
"It would be fitting if the political leader who launched his career by opposing visits to Catholic schools by Captain Terence O'Neill would, in his maturity, realise the great benefits to be gained by all from true reconciliation," Mr Farren said.