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Sectarian graffiti sprayed on walls of community centre in latest attack

SECTARIAN graffiti has been sprayed on a community centre in Co Antrim - the fourth time it has been targeted since April.

Anti-Catholic slogans, including 'KAT', were sprayed on Dunanney Centre in the predominantly loyalist Rathcoole area of Newtownabbey between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

The centre houses groups including a Citizens Advice Bureau, an early years project and a training programme for the unemployed. Police said they are treating the attack as a hate crime and appealed for information.

In April, the centre was attacked by arsonists who damaged the building and destroyed the gas and water supply.

Earlier this month, it was petrol-bombed and several windows were smashed.

North Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds said the attacks had caused more than £150,000 worth of damage. "Whoever is carrying out these attacks is jeopardising vital services which are open to all and which assist people whose needs are greatest," he said.

Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan condemned the latest "mindless" attack. "At a time when we are slowly crawling out of the dark days of recession - who imagines that it is a good idea to target a key community resource?" he said.

He called on people "with influence in the community" to also condemn the attack.

Alliance councillor Billy Webb said there was an "on-going campaign of

intimidation" against the centre. "The work to repair damage caused by the last attack has not yet been finished," he said. "There is no place for thuggish behaviour in our society and I would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI as soon as possible."