IAN Paisley jnr has mocked the Republic's Easter Rising commemorations, saying that on July 12 "at least we celebrate victory".

The DUP North Antrim MP made the remarks yesterday on Twitter with a link to images of Taoiseach Enda Kenny meeting US vice president Joe Biden ahead of St Patrick's Day.

Mr Paisley tweeted: "Celebrating a rising that failed – can't even get a Taoiseach elected. At least we celebrate victory on the Twelfth."

The message was deleted a short time later, but a screengrab was shared by satirical Twitter account Ladfleg.

The remarks were met with criticism from internet users. One said: "Cities across the globe will be celebrating the Irish this week. Behaving like Ian Paisley just makes you look utterly pathetic."