North Belfast sectarian attacks condemned as ‘mass attempt at cleansing' by housing association

Belfast Telegraph

6 days ago

An NI housing association has branded sectarian attacks in a mixed housing development in north Belfast as "a mass attempt at cleansing of an area'.
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.
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.
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.
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'This threat needs to be withdrawn immediately,' the Sinn Fein representative added.
Meanwhile 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".