Northern Ireland

Sectarian attack on house condemned

Sectarian graffiti painted on a window of a house in Kilcoole Gardens in the Ballysillan area of north Belfast Picture by Mal McCann
Sectarian graffiti painted on a window of a house in Kilcoole Gardens in the Ballysillan area of north Belfast Picture by Mal McCann Sectarian graffiti painted on a window of a house in Kilcoole Gardens in the Ballysillan area of north Belfast Picture by Mal McCann

THERE has been political condemnation after a home in north Belfast was targeted in a sectarian attack.

Graffiti stating KAT (Kill all Taigs) was painted on the front window of a house in the Kilcoole area. A car was also damaged.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said it was "the latest in a string of incidents in the greater Ballysillan/Cavehill area".

Mr Kelly said homes allocated to Catholic families had also been targeted in Tyndale area of north Belfast.

"This sectarian thuggery is despicable. It is an orchestrated attempt to intimidate Catholics and create community tensions," he said.

"Public representatives have a duty to speak out unequivocally in opposition to this cowardly and bigoted campaign of sectarian harassment and intimidation. I am calling on public representatives for the area to speak with one voice against those determined to drag us down the cul de sac of hatred and fear.

"The people behind this campaign of intimidation must be faced down and I call on anyone with any information on those responsible to bring it forward to the police."

SDLP councillor Carl Whyte said the attack was an outrage that left the community shocked and disgusted.

"This cowardly assault on a home by sectarian thugs is an attack both on those who lived there and on the entire community in the area – many of whom have registered their disgust at what has taken place," Mr Whyte said.

"This is nothing more than sectarian territory-marking which speaks directly to the sick state-of-mind of those who carried it out. They offer nothing to the communities where they carry out such hate-filled criminal acts."

Mr Whyte said those living in the property were "understandably shaken".

"I’ve spoken to both the Police and the Housing Executive who are providing assistance," he added.