8 April 1999 Edition
Intimidation forcing residents to flee
by Laura Friel
The vast majority of tenants seeking rehousing are nationalists intimidated in relation to the Drumcree stand-off. Within a few days of the sectarian murder of the Quinn children, 36 other families had applied to move from the Carnany estate. At the time of the murders, five other Catholic families had received death threats in the post.
Figures showing a record number of families are leaving their homes because of intimidation were released as another arson attack on the Quinn family is suspected. An aunt of the three Quinn children (who perished as fire swept through their home in the mixed Carnany Estate in Ballymoney, County Antrim, in a loyalist petrol bomb attack at the height of last summer's Drumcree disturbances), narrowly escaped injury when a fire swept through a flat below her home in Kilrea, County Derry. The fire, which broke out late last Sunday night, is being treated as suspicious. Collette Quinn and her partner Brendan Cassidy jumped to safety from a second-floor window after thick smoke drove them back from the stairway.
The latest attack comes as official British government statistics reveal that last year over 1,350 families have sought rehousing because of intimidation. The figures relate to a seven-month period from the beginning of the Orange marching season last spring, throughout the summer until Christmas. In a written answer to the British House of Commons, NIO Minister Adam Ingram revealed that between May 1 to December 31, 1,358 applicants were awarded priority status by the Housing Executive. The figures show that 1,998 residents experienced a level of intimidation unprecedented in recent years. The vast majority of tenants seeking rehousing are nationalists intimidated in relation to the Drumcree stand-off. Within a few days of the sectarian murder of the Quinn children, 36 other families had applied to move from the Carnany estate. At the time of the murders, five other Catholic families had received death threats in the post. In one small street alone, Craigwell Avenue on the outskirts of Garvaghy Road, nightly intimidation of Catholic residents by loyalist Drumcree protesters has forced 12 families to flee. Throughout the year Catholic families living in parade flashpoints, isolated areas or within mixed communities have borne the brunt of loyalist intimidation. While Drumcree has proved to be a catalyst, sectarian intimidation has long been a factor underlying housing policy in the North of Ireland. A factor which, sadly, complacency within the Housing Executive has failed to address. During a recent conference on housing organised by the University of Ulster and attended by housing bodies, the words of lecturer Paddy Gary reiterated the complacency with which the issue of sectarian intimidation in housing has been viewed. ``Public housing in Northern Ireland is still very segregated, and whilst one area may show a high demand for homes, another area only a short distance away may have a very low demand.'' Massive overcrowding and lengthy waiting lists in nationalist areas, the direct result of sectarian intimidation of Catholics by loyalists, is dressed up by housing experts as ``choice''. Some areas are more ``popular'' say the Housing Executive, and this is why housing is more difficult to arrange for tenants seeking accommodation in particular areas. The truth is far more brutal. While public housing lies empty in loyalist areas, Catholic families continue to endure real housing hardship, intimidated into the overcrowded safe estates. There is no `choice', only fear or deprivation. The Good Friday Agreement promises the right to live free from sectarian intimidation, yet fundamental to that is recognition of the impact of sectarian intimidation on housing provision.
The vast majority of tenants seeking rehousing are nationalists intimidated in relation to the Drumcree stand-off. Within a few days of the sectarian murder of the Quinn children, 36 other families had applied to move from the Carnany estate. At the time of the murders, five other Catholic families had received death threats in the post.
Figures showing a record number of families are leaving their homes because of intimidation were released as another arson attack on the Quinn family is suspected. An aunt of the three Quinn children (who perished as fire swept through their home in the mixed Carnany Estate in Ballymoney, County Antrim, in a loyalist petrol bomb attack at the height of last summer's Drumcree disturbances), narrowly escaped injury when a fire swept through a flat below her home in Kilrea, County Derry. The fire, which broke out late last Sunday night, is being treated as suspicious. Collette Quinn and her partner Brendan Cassidy jumped to safety from a second-floor window after thick smoke drove them back from the stairway.
The latest attack comes as official British government statistics reveal that last year over 1,350 families have sought rehousing because of intimidation. The figures relate to a seven-month period from the beginning of the Orange marching season last spring, throughout the summer until Christmas. In a written answer to the British House of Commons, NIO Minister Adam Ingram revealed that between May 1 to December 31, 1,358 applicants were awarded priority status by the Housing Executive. The figures show that 1,998 residents experienced a level of intimidation unprecedented in recent years. The vast majority of tenants seeking rehousing are nationalists intimidated in relation to the Drumcree stand-off. Within a few days of the sectarian murder of the Quinn children, 36 other families had applied to move from the Carnany estate. At the time of the murders, five other Catholic families had received death threats in the post. In one small street alone, Craigwell Avenue on the outskirts of Garvaghy Road, nightly intimidation of Catholic residents by loyalist Drumcree protesters has forced 12 families to flee. Throughout the year Catholic families living in parade flashpoints, isolated areas or within mixed communities have borne the brunt of loyalist intimidation. While Drumcree has proved to be a catalyst, sectarian intimidation has long been a factor underlying housing policy in the North of Ireland. A factor which, sadly, complacency within the Housing Executive has failed to address. During a recent conference on housing organised by the University of Ulster and attended by housing bodies, the words of lecturer Paddy Gary reiterated the complacency with which the issue of sectarian intimidation in housing has been viewed. ``Public housing in Northern Ireland is still very segregated, and whilst one area may show a high demand for homes, another area only a short distance away may have a very low demand.'' Massive overcrowding and lengthy waiting lists in nationalist areas, the direct result of sectarian intimidation of Catholics by loyalists, is dressed up by housing experts as ``choice''. Some areas are more ``popular'' say the Housing Executive, and this is why housing is more difficult to arrange for tenants seeking accommodation in particular areas. The truth is far more brutal. While public housing lies empty in loyalist areas, Catholic families continue to endure real housing hardship, intimidated into the overcrowded safe estates. There is no `choice', only fear or deprivation. The Good Friday Agreement promises the right to live free from sectarian intimidation, yet fundamental to that is recognition of the impact of sectarian intimidation on housing provision.