15 November 2007 Edition

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Sectarian attack linked to UDA statement

Tierna Cunningham

Tierna Cunningham

HOMES and cars in the Whitewell area of Belfast were damaged in a sectarian attack in the early hours of Monday, 12 November.
Residents were alerted at around 3.30am when a crowd of men entered the Serpentine Road area, smashing windows of homes and damaging cars. They also tried to set a car alight. One of the men shouted, “Up the UDA!” as he ran from the scene.
Commenting on the incidents on Monday, local Sinn Féin Councillor Tierna Cunningham said:
“These were serious attacks. Thankfully nobody was killed or injured but things could have been very different.
“Local residents are very concerned and afraid at this unprovoked incident. It seems that the element involved were at least unhappy with yesterday’s UDA statement and wanted to demonstrate this by attacking Catholics in a vulnerable area.
“Sinn Féin has worked tirelessly across North Belfast, and in the Whitewell/White City areas in particular, to ensure a peaceful existence for all residents. Community and interface workers from White City have not been found wanting in working to the same end.
“However, we are not witnessing the same level of commitment by unionist politicians. I am therefore calling for representatives of the DUP and UUP in the area to show some positive leadership in bringing this type of attack to an end. These attacks are wrong and must cease immediately.”

An Phoblacht
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Ireland