DUP candidate pleads guilty to racist bomb attack

» Mark Moloney

The pipe-bomb was in a series of race hate attacks against Polish and other immigrants in the town

A DUP election candidate has pleaded guilty to a pipe-bomb attack targeting the home of a Polish family in Antrim. The attack was claimed by the loyalist Real Ulster Freedom Fighters (RUFF).

John Smyth Junior, who contested the 2010 local elections for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), admitted to a charge of making explosives with intent to endanger life.

Smyth was suspended from both the DUP and the Orange Order following his arrest in October 2011. Smyth is the son of long-serving DUP Councillor John Smyth, who served time in prison for Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) activities in the 1970s.

The DUP told the daily Irish News newspaper:

“John Jnr was suspended from the party following his arrest and has since ceased to be a member of the party.”

The pipe-bomb attack took place in the Steeple estate in Antrim in a series of race hate attacks against Polish and other immigrants in the town. The PSNI recorded 28 such attacks in Antrim that year.

Smyth is due to be sentenced on 8 March.