NI leaders condemn sectarian attacks branded by housing association as ‘mass attempt at cleansing'

Belfast Telegraph

6 days ago

The First and deputy First Ministers have condemned sectarian attacks in a housing development, described by a Northern Ireland housing association as a "mass attempt at cleansing of an area".
Masonry was thrown at properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street in north Belfast last Wednesday and on Friday some residents said they planned to leave their homes.
Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Ministers have jointly called for solidarity following the sectarian attacks in north Belfast.
Meanwhile, Pol Callaghan, of Clanmil Housing Association, which operates the scheme, said the attacks are a "sectarian motivated hate crime" and that the victims "would be perceived of being from a Catholic nationalist background".
"It would one thing if it was a single family being intimidated out but this is a mass attempt at cleansing of a group of people because of there community identity,' he told BBC Radio Ulster.
A multi-agency meeting was held on Tuesday as efforts continue to ensure the safety of a number of families.
Mr Callaghan told the Good Morning Ulster programme the attacks are 'reminiscent of what we had thought we had left behind" in NI.
"We cannot accept that there's part of this city where anyone should not be able to live because of their perceived race, religion or anything else," he said.
"Whatever happens in this one street, in Annalee Street, over the next few days and weeks, there are significant lessons that have to be learned, either in terms of the future of this street or elsewhere, because we can't afford to set a precedent here.
"We have people who are sleeping in homes today who are literally in fear of their lives.'
Mr Callaghan said that many of the victims are too scared to return to their homes.
"We are going to have to reflect on how we are going to manage the scheme over the next while," he said.
"We need to have a genuine inter-agency approach to dealing with this issue, because the situation as it currently stands cannot be allowed to stay."
The PSNI has stepped up patrols in the area.
Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly have now voiced their condemnation following the intimidation of some families in the north Belfast neighbourhood.
Ms O'Neill said, as political leaders, their duty is to 'call out sectarianism', 'say no to sectarianism' and 'say no to those people who are involved in intimidation'.
'Trying to run people out of their homes is intolerable, we say to all those involved, they must stop, and I say the full force of the law must be applied to those people involved in intimidating families,' she told reporters during a visit in Co Tyrone on Wednesday.
Ms Little-Pengelly added: 'The vast vast majority of people right throughout Northern Ireland are not sectarian, they're not involved in sectarianism, they're not involved in threatening or intimidatory behaviour.
'We need to stand politically shoulder by shoulder to make clear that all intimidation, all threats of violence, all violence as a result of sectarianism, racism or whatever that may look like is absolutely wrong.
'That's a message that we've sent very strongly and united from the Executive from the outset and we'll continue to do so.'
Chair of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations, Hazel Bell OBE, said everyone has the fundamental right to feel safe in their home and local community.
"These recent attacks on homes and the intimidation of residents are completely unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue, here or in any community across Northern Ireland,' she added.
'Housing Associations work hard to ensure that new developments integrate with the wider community, and we will continue to do so.
'When faced with these horrible acts, we must see a united and urgent response—across communities, political representatives and all agencies —to ensure these incidents are not repeated. We cannot allow such mindless violence and intimidation to continue to scar our communities.'
Earlier this week, Stormont's justice minister described the "sickening attacks' as 'a reminder of a dark past and are carried out by those who wish to continue controlling the communities they purport to serve.'
"It is unthinkable that young mothers are being forced to leave their homes, and I call on those responsible to desist now," Naomi Long added.
North Belfast MP John Finucane warned there was a "sinister and organised element" to the attacks.
'This threat needs to be withdrawn immediately,' the Sinn Fein representative added.
Independent councillor Paul McCusker described Tuesday's meeting as very difficult for residents including some who 'are not able to sleep [and] are not eating".
'It is having a massive negative impact on their lives," he added.
Mr McCusker said residents felt there has been poor communication with police amid a feeling that the force has not been "supportive enough".
PSNI Chief Inspector Patrick Mullan insisted officers are "focused on keeping the residents safe, and are providing enhanced patrols in the area as we work towards a resolution in conjunction with our community partners" as he welcomed the meeting as an "opportunity to listen to residents' legitimate concerns".