THERE has been widespread condemnation after a Catholic mother and her young children were forced to flee their east Belfast home after loyalist threats.
Police said they are investigating following a report of intimidation towards the family, who lived on the Cregagh estate.
Chief Inspector Wendy Pollock said they had been left "traumatised".
It is understood the single mum-of-three was told the UVF and UDA no longer wanted her on the estate.
Originally from west Belfast, she had recently moved into a house offered to her by the Housing Executive, according to a report in the Sunday Life.
However, weeks after furnishing it, she was told loyalist paramilitaries had placed the family, which includes a one-year-old girl, under threat.
Alliance Councillors Michael Long and Eric Hanvey said they were "disgusted" at the reports.
"It is absolutely disgusting in this day and age we have anyone, never mind a single mother-of-three, being intimidated out of an area, for nothing other than the ‘crime’ of being a different religion to the majority of people there," said Mr Long.
"We are in the 21st century – the poison of paramilitarism should no longer be infecting our society. I call on those who purport to represent these groups and others to come out and condemn this in the strongest possible terms. Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home, and the victims have my full support."
Mr Hanvey said what had happened was "not reflective" of the vast majority of Cregagh, which he described as "an open and welcoming community".
SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said he was "sickened" by what had happened.
"Everyone has the right to live in a society without fear of intimidation. The UVF, UDA and those behind this threat offer nothing to people in the Cregagh or east Belfast," he said.
"It is beyond time that these gangs were disbanded. All political leaders must be committed to eradicating this blight on communities across Belfast. That must begin by refusing to give succour or legitimacy to those parading as their representatives."
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth said it was "absolutely horrendous" for the young family, adding "there are many in the Cregagh who will want nothing to do with this poison".
Sinn Féin MLA and Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey branded the threats "cowardly and despicable" and called for them to be lifted immediately.
The wider Cregagh and Woodstock area of east Belfast has seen an increase in the number of Catholic families, with the nearby Harding Memorial PS set to join the integrated sector this September.
In a statement, the PSNI said the family had been contacted by the NI Housing Executive (NIHE) and informed of a threat being made towards them.
They said officers had been in contact with the family, the NIHE and community representatives.
Chief Inspector Wendy Pollock said: “The family have been left traumatised, and no longer feels safe in their own home and have been forced to relocate.
“Our enquiries are ongoing, and I am appealing to anyone with information to contact us on 101, quoting reference CW 394 of 21/07/21.”
Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
