Latest news with #PaulMcCusker
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
North Belfast sectarian attacks: Threat needs to be "withdrawn immediately'
A threat against residents of a north Belfast community where a number of homes have been targeted in sectarian-motivated attacks needs to be withdrawn, the area's MP has Féin MP John Finucane said there is a "sinister and organised element" to the sectarian attacks on homes in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street was speaking after a multi-agency meeting on Tuesday as efforts continue to ensure the safety of a number of families."This threat needs to be withdrawn immediately," Finucane said. In the most recent attack, masked men threw masonry at properties in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas last Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the area. The north Belfast MP said some of the families still feel very vulnerable."Everyone in the room was moved by the stories we were hearing, the trauma that has been inflicted on them since the disgraceful attack last week," Finucane added: "Whoever is behind this needs to explain why they are targeting such vulnerable people. They need to withdraw this threat immediately they need to allow these families to live in peace and security."Finucane said a "robust" police response is needed to both investigate and bring those behind the threat to justice. Independent councillor Paul McCusker said it had been a very difficult meeting for the residents , many of who have not slept since the attack."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 had concerns around the police said many residents felt "communication hasn't been great between police and residents" adding there was a feeling police had not been "supportive enough"."Residents want to know why they were targeted. We know it is sectarian related, police have confirmed that - certain areas are controlled by paramilitaries and they want to keep control, they don't want Catholics living in those areas."Moving forward, he added, it is about the safety of the said those who have chosen to leave, can not "fall back into a housing system that is broken"."It is about providing adequate safe accommodation for these families, to move on… this needs to happen this week," McCusker said. PSNI Ch Insp Mullan said the police investigation is ongoing."We 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."The senior officer added: "As we have stated repeatedly, hate crime has no place in our society. It is absolutely unacceptable that anyone should be subject to criminality because of who they are.
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
North Belfast sectarian attacks: Paul McCusker calls for OFMDFM support
The first and deputy first ministers have been called on to publicly condemn sectarian attacks on homes in north councillor Paul McCusker, who has written to Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, said they need to "come out, show commitment and get behind these families".TUV councillor Ron McDowell said local residents are living in "terror and fear".It comes after masonry was thrown at properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street on Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the area. On Friday, a number of residents said they planned to leave their said those targeted were "young girls in their early 20s with babies in their arms"."When they say their houses have been attacked - there are no windows in their homes – they are completely boarded up with a threat of a repeat visit," he said there was an issue with police resources in north-west Belfast. "I don't doubt that the police are doing what they can – they stepped up yesterday and pledged more – they now have the alarms that people can press - but they don't appear to have the resources to deal with this adequately," he said there was a high density of peace walls in the area. "There is a lot of insecurity around community displacement – there are predators within the community within paramilitary gangs who would play on the fears of the local inhabitants, who are protective of homes for their own people and their children," he said."This has been a minority group of Catholic houses that have been targeted in a predominantly unionist area."Incidents along the peace line are nothing new though they don't often get reported - they go on for months and it can be a living hell for people in those areas." Following a meeting between the affected families, police and community representatives on Sunday, McCusker said most families want to stay, but "no one can guarantee their safety".McCusker called for the NI Executive to intervene and for the first and deputy first ministers to "come out and call this out for what it is". Speaking to BBC News NI on Monday, he said: "I mean this is a major problem, you know, north Belfast is one of the most divided parts of Belfast, and a lot more work needs to done to ensure that people regardless if you're Catholic or Protestant or whatever religion you are, that you're entitled to live in a safe home in any community."He added: "It's a massive big upheaval in anybody's life, particularly if you're homeless for eight years to then get a new house and then to be treated this way is just shocking."He said the sectarian attacks are "becoming more of a problem here in north Belfast" and are "not being reported enough". "And we're aware of other families in recent months this has happened to as well and we need that commitment from first minister and deputy first minister to actually to come out, show commitment and get behind these families." 'Sectarian-motivated hate crime' PSNI Supt Allister Hagan said: "We are treating what happened in these residential areas not just as criminal damage, but sectarian-motivated hate crime - which is totally unacceptable."This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, housing provider, community representatives and local residents in relation to these issues."Police have been "regularly patrolling these areas at varying intervals to deter crime and provide reassurance to the community," Supt Hagan added. "In addition, we have been meeting with residents regularly to listen to their concerns and offer practical support." Clanmil Housing said it has been on site over the a statement, a spokesperson said: "Some families have left their homes at this time, and we have provided alternative temporary accommodation where needed."We absolutely condemn the continued and unprovoked threat to families living peacefully in their homes. Everyone should be allowed to live safely in their home, free from any type of intimidation or threat." The NI Executive office has been contacted for comment.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- BBC News
North Belfast residents left feeling 'on edge' following sectarian attack
Residents in a north Belfast community are feeling frustrated and "on edge" after a number of homes were damaged in a sectarian-motivated attack, according to a local comes after a group of masked individuals were reported to have thrown masonry at the properties, in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas, on Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the Friday, a number of residents said they planned to leave their homes. Following a meeting between the affected families, police and community representatives on Sunday, independent councillor Paul McCusker said most families want to stay, but "no one can guarantee their safety". McCusker said there was a lack of political leadership in the area."There is a lot of frustration felt over the weekend, police said they would commit to a static police presence over the weekend but families felt that wasn't the case."The police attending a meeting on Sunday was very important, he added."For the remaining families, protection is key to keep them safe so there is no further risk to their lives and moving forward we need to look at a long term plan," he said. McCusker explained that many of the families living in the area have been homeless for many years."They have been through a system that has been quite difficult for them and to go back into that system again and be treated this way is causing trauma to the families," he added: "It is 2025 this should not be happening and the families should be getting reassurance politically."PSNI Supt Allister Hagan said: "We are treating what happened in these residential areas not just as criminal damage, but sectarian-motivated hate crime - which is totally unacceptable."This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, housing provider, community representatives and local residents in relation to these issues."Police have been "regularly patrolling these areas at varying intervals to deter crime and provide reassurance to the community," Supt Hagan added. "In addition, we have been meeting with residents regularly to listen to their concerns and offer practical support."
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."
