4 November 2004 Edition

Resize: A A A Print

Filipino nurses' home attacked

Sinn Féin West Belfast MP Gerry Adams says a racist attack on the home of four Filipino nurses in Violet Street off the Springfield Road on Sunday 31 October was "despicable".

The two men and two women, who work at the nearby Royal Victoria Hospital, returned home at around 7.30pm on Sunday to find the front door forced open and discovered that thugs had broken a number of windows, wrecked furniture and had set fire to the hallway.

One of the nurses said she had never experienced any trouble in the area before but is fearful of returning to the house.

"All the neighbours are very nice and have told us they don't want us to go, but we are to frightened to stay. I am not sure at the moment whether we will move back, we just need time away to settle ourselves and see what we think about staying on."

Susan Quinn, who lives a few doors away from the nurses, said all the neighbours are devastated about what has happened and that they have organised a vigil to show their outrage at the attack and to show the nurses their support.

"The neighbours don't want them to move, there is no need for it. Everyone is just devastated by what has happened."

Adams says everyone needs to work actively to remove racism from our society. "I would like to state my abhorrence at this attack, but condemning racist attacks is not enough and requires actions as much as words. Sinn Féin representatives and activists will work to tackle racism."


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland