Latest news with #ClanmilHousing
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Attacks on north Belfast homes 'mass attempt to cleanse area'
Sectarian attacks on homes in north Belfast are "a mass attempt at cleansing of an area", a housing association has was thrown at properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street 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 Callaghan, of Clanmil Housing Association, which operates the mixed housing scheme, said the attacks are a "sectarian motivated hate crime" and those who have been targeted "would be perceived of being from a Catholic nationalist background". "What we're seeing here is behaviour en masse which is reminiscent of what we had thought we had left behind, either here in 1969 or some other more recent cases, or Bosnia in the 1990s," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster."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."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 Clanmil want everyone allocated a house in the scheme to stay long-term, but understood that some people are very fearful and have said they don't want 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." 'Reminder of dark past' On Tuesday, Justice Minister Naomi Long said the "sickening attacks are 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."The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the Féin's North Belfast MP John Finucane said there was a "sinister and organised element" to the sectarian attacks on homes in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas."This threat needs to be withdrawn immediately," Finucane said. Independent councillor Paul McCusker said Tuesday's meeting had been very difficult for residents."The families who have been there since Wednesday are not able to sleep, are not eating, it is having a massive negative impact on their lives," he said many residents felt "communication hasn't been great between police and residents" adding there was a feeling police had not been "supportive enough".Police said they 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".Tuesday's meeting had given police "the opportunity to listen to residents' legitimate concerns," Ch Insp Patrick Mullan said.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Belfast: Residents to leave properties after sectarian threats
A number of families whose homes were targeted in a sectarian-motivated attack in north Belfast plan to leave their properties after a further threat was issued, a local councillor has were damaged in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas on Wednesday by a group of masked individuals, who are believed to have thrown masonry at the councillor Paul McCusker, who attended a meeting about the situation on Friday, said information was received "that those involved were planning on coming back to attack the same houses". A resident told BBC News NI said she was leaving and that she believed she had been targeted because she is a Catholic. The resident, who spoke anonymously to protect her identity, said: "Me and my kids love this home and I've put so much money and time into this home and we're obviously left with no home now."I waited eight years for here, how long is it going to take me to get another house?"Paul McCusker, who attended the meeting with residents, police and Clanmil Housing Assocition, said the new threat "was an escalation in terms of the current situation that we're very worried about". "We did inform police immediately," he added."There was a lot of people, quite emotional, not knowing what's going to happen next, [that] is the big frightening thing."McCusker said the group involved in this attack, and their reasoning, is unknown."The big question for a lot of the families is, why is this happening?"I think it's a disgrace, I think it's disgusting. Politically I think there is a responsibility, Stormont has a responsibility to call this out." The resident who spoke to BBC News NI after the meeting, and whose home had been attacked, said she and her young children now plan to leave after being informed of the threat. "I just can't believe it, I am so, so shocked - I honestly am petrified obviously to even be here, hence the reason why I am going," she said. "I don't know what my plans are - obviously pack up and go, me and my kids' safety is more important than staying in this house, than having it be petrol bombed while we're in it."She added: "My kids don't want to leave my side, they are so anxious and don't understand what's going on, can't understand why people would do this to their home."I've been here almost six months and there's been nothing whatsoever, so why now?"I would be hoping that Clanmil would obviously be able to rehouse me, because where else am I supposed to go with me and my children. There is nowhere for us to go." A PSNI spokesperson said: "Neighbourhood officers were invited to attend a meeting with residents and local representatives and as a platform to listen to their concerns."Speaking after the meeting, Inspector Irwin said: "Our investigation into these crimes is continuing. "I want to reassure local residents that we have increased patrols in the area and will continue to engage and work alongside partner agencies, local representatives and the community."A spokesperson for Clanmil Housing told BBC News NI they "absolutely condemn this incident which has impacted people living in our new homes at Annalee Street"."Everyone should be allowed to live in peace and feel safe in their homes, free from intimidation or threat."These families have only recently moved in and have been settling in well over the past few months, creating homes and putting down roots. Their safety and wellbeing remain our priority."Our team has been on site again today doing all they can to support our tenants, and we are very grateful for the support we are receiving from the PSNI and the local community."We urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the PSNI."
