Systematic crusade against nationalists

Lagan Valley Sinn Féin councillor Paul Butler has accused loyalists of being involved in a systematic campaign of intimidation against Catholics in the Lisburn area.

Butler told An Phoblacht that in recent times his home has been attacked by loyalists with fire bombs and that numerous threats, including one naming his partner, have been painted on walls in Dunmurry and outside the council office in Lisburn.

He vowed that he will not be silenced by those leading the sectarian campaign, which has resulted in him receiving a live bullet through the post along with a death threat.

"It is a sustained effort to intimidate me from continuing to expose sectarianism from both inside and outside Lisburn City Council," he said.

Butler called on the MP for the area, Jeffrey Donaldson, to speak out against the ongoing campaign of sectarian intimidation, which has resulted in numerous Catholic families having to move from their homes.

"In other areas of the constituency, particularly in Stoneyford, over twelve Catholic families have been forced to put their homes up for sale in recent times, such is the ongoing sectarian intimidation. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. We need to see a united political front to expose and end this vicious anti-Catholic crusade and the Lagan Valley MP needs to be at the forefront of this."