Racist attack on schoolgirl in Craigavon

A racist attack on a 13-year-old schoolgirl in Craigavon has to be condemned by all right thinking people, Sinn Féin's John O'Dowd told An Phoblacht.

The attack, which only came to light this week, occurred as the teenager, whose parents are Vietnamese, was walking home alone along a pathway between the Drumellan and Rosmoyle estates at around 11.30pm on Friday 5 December.

The girl was approached by two men, one of whom was described as being over six feet tall. She was grabbed by one of the men, while the other held a knife to her throat. Fortunately, the teenager managed to struggle free and ran to get help.

John O'Dowd says such attacks are on the increase not just in the Craigavon area but across the Six Counties.

"There used to be a common misconception that racism wasn't a problem here," he said. "Sadly, we know now that this is far from the truth, as evidenced by some disgraceful racist attacks in recent times. Racism is only one manifestation of the prejudice, intolerance and bigotry in our society."