Northern Ireland

MLA raises concerns loyalist attacks in north Down are spreading

Damage caused to property’s in Ballyferris Walk in Bangor. Picture Mal McCann
Damage caused to property’s in Ballyferris Walk in Bangor. Picture Mal McCann Damage caused to property’s in Ballyferris Walk in Bangor. Picture Mal McCann
By Allan Preston

THE independent unionist MLA Alex Easton has raised concerns that loyalist attacks in north Down linked to rival drug gangs are spreading.

After attacks on eight properties in Newtownards and Bangor between Wednesday and Sunday, the PSNI reported further petrol bomb and brick throwing incidents on Tuesday evening.

All of the attacks are being treated as part of a dispute between drug-dealing factions of the UDA.

Mr Easton said he had also been made aware of attacks around the Bangor and Donaghadee areas.

“A few people seem to have been put out of their homes and there’s been petrol bombs thrown. It’s a huge concern to the community who really do not want this or support it,” he told the BBC.

“If something’s not done, someone’s going to get seriously hurt.

“It seems to be spreading and it’s a huge worry for the local community. I would be calling for those involved to stop what they’re doing before they kill somebody, and I would be urging the public to bring any information to the PSNI because we need to put a stop to this.

“I would also be urging, if there’s anybody in the local community who can be involved in some sort of dialogue to put a stop to that, I would be appealing for that as well.”

Asked whether the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC), who represent the views of several loyalist paramilitaries, should intervene, he said: “I don’t know who could be involved in some sort of mediation, but certainly I think we need to put a stop to this before someone is killed or seriously hurt.

On Tuesday, the first incident was reported at 9.20pm after a house was petrol bombed in the Ballyferris Walk area of Bangor.

This was followed ten minutes later with damage caused to a property in the Glenbrook Road area of Newtownards, with reports that at least two men threw bricks through the front window of the house and poured petrol onto the driveway.

By 9.40pm, another petrol bomb attack was reported at a block of flats in the Wallace Place area of Newtownards.

The PSNI’s North Down and Ards District commander, Johnston McDowell, said poice patrols had increased and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

 “These incidents are linked to an ongoing feud between two rival drug gangs and police are following a number of lines of enquiry,” he said.

“Thankfully, no injuries were reported on Tuesday evening. I would also like to extend my thanks to our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who attended.”

In addition to the petrol bombing incidents and a pipe bomb attack over the last week, police said there had also been attempted hijackings and threatening graffiti appearing on properties.