6 May 2004 Edition

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SF councillors' homes targeted

Veronica Willis examines the damage to her window

Veronica Willis examines the damage to her window

The homes of two Sinn Féin women councillors, in West Belfast and Dunmurry, respectively, are the latest to be targeted in ball bearing attacks in the last week.

The home of Sinn Féin Councillor Chrissie McAuley was targeted in the early hours of Wednesday 28 April while the Poleglass home of Lisburn Councillor Veronica Willis was attacked at just after 10pm on Monday 3 May.

The front window in the Willis home was shattered when a ball bearing, fired from a gun, was shot through it. The family car was also damaged in the incident.

According to the Sinn Féin councillor, her attackers drove into the cul-de-sac where she lives, launched their attack, then sped off.

"I believe loyalists were behind this attack", Willis told An Phoblacht. "Since Sinn Féin has highlighted the unionist discrimination on Lisburn City Council and the ongoing campaign of sectarian violence against nationalists in Lagan Valley, attacks on our party representatives have increased.

"However, these attacks and this latest attack on my home will not deter us from defending the rights of our constituents or opposing anti-nationalist behaviour, whether it is in the council chamber or carried out by masked thugs."

In the attack on McAuley's Lenadoon home, extensive damage was caused to the kitchen window at the front of the house.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, McAuley said "the people carrying out these attacks are furnished with accurate and up-to-date information and this points the finger at the PSNI. The obvious source of such information is the PSNI Special Branch, because these attacks are not random, they are coordinated and well planned. These attacks will not deter Sinn Féin from representing the people of West Belfast."

In the past few weeks a number of homes of prominent republicans have been attacked with ball bearings, including the homes of councillors Fra McCann and Lagan Valley Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Butler.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland