Northern Ireland

Police and unionist politicians 'failed Catholic mother-of-four intimidated out of north Belfast home'

Windows smashed at a home in Alliance Close where a single mother and her four children have had to leave after receiving a "warning" in the post. Picture by Mal McCann.
Windows smashed at a home in Alliance Close where a single mother and her four children have had to leave after receiving a "warning" in the post. Picture by Mal McCann. Windows smashed at a home in Alliance Close where a single mother and her four children have had to leave after receiving a "warning" in the post. Picture by Mal McCann.

POLICE and unionist politicians "have failed" a Catholic mother-of-four driven out of a `mixed' area following a campaign of intimidation which culminated in an attack on her home, a councillor has claimed.

The woman and her children - aged 12 and under - have taken shelter with relatives after the windows of her house at Alliance Close on the outskirts of the Glenbryn area of north Belfast were smashed.

A note posted on the window, describing it as a "1st warning" and demanding `Taigs Out'.

The woman is said to be "fearing for her life" and "hasn't slept properly" with her children also traumatised by the attack on their home.

Police said the "criminal damage" was carried out sometime between midnight on February 28 and 2.30pm on March 2, but a neighbour told the Irish News it happened "on Sunday evening".

Stickers indicated the doors and windows were fitted with alarms.

The area is nominally mixed, lying between loyalist Glenbryn area and the nationalist Alliance Avenue.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said police should have done more to protect the family after the intimidation began.

"In December police were alerted to the threat towards her because she was Catholic. There were individuals standing at her front door with their hoods up shouting at her to get out.

"They were aware of this. They were told this information and what was done to try and investigate where they came from. It is a failing from police.

Windows smashed at a home in Alliance Close where a single mother and her four children have had to leave after receiving a "warning" in the post. Picture by Mal McCann.
Windows smashed at a home in Alliance Close where a single mother and her four children have had to leave after receiving a "warning" in the post. Picture by Mal McCann. Windows smashed at a home in Alliance Close where a single mother and her four children have had to leave after receiving a "warning" in the post. Picture by Mal McCann.

"They had put alarms in because of the threat, but the men, all in their twenties were allowed to carry on - and those behind it should be ashamed of themselves."

Chief Inspector Kelly Moore defended the police operation, insisting they are treating the attacks on the house "as sectarian hate crimes" but need help from the community.

"This is the third incident at this property. In December last year, the householder received a threatening letter and on January 21 this year, stones were thrown at the property...

"While police have regularly patrolled the area and have been liaising with the householder, local partner agencies and representatives, those involved in these incidents have most likely stepped out of the shadows in the hours of darkness for a few short moments to carry out these crimes.

"These incidents are absolutely unacceptable. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their own home. The people carrying out these acts should be ashamed of their actions. We are investigating and are determined to identify those responsible and put them before the courts, but we need help from the local community."

Mr McCusker also criticised the "lack of leadership" from unionist politicians.

"If this had happened in Ardoyne I'd be standing at that family's front door and telling (those intimidating them) to clear off," he said.

"Unionist politicians from north Belfast must show leadership within their communities and strongly condemn this despicable act.

"I am calling on the DUP and others to make it clear they do not support this action and that it will not be tolerated. Their failure to do so thus far has been deafening."

North Belfast DUP assembly member William Humphrey said he was "appalled" to hear of the attack "which we condemn without equivocation" and appealed for information to be passed to police.

"This clearly will have been deeply upsetting for the residents concerned and for neighbours in this residential area close to a community interface."