Northern Ireland

Youths break windows close to east Belfast bonfire site

 The apartment block on London Road in east Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
The apartment block on London Road in east Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann The apartment block on London Road in east Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

A gang of youths is being blamed for breaking windows at a housing association-owned apartment block in east Belfast.

The residence on London Road is across from waste ground where bonfire material has been dumped in recent weeks.

Developer DLL Properties launched a bid in 2021 to build more than 100 apartments on the site, which lies close to Ravenhill Road.

Police have appealed for information about the attack on the evening of Tuesday May 16.

A spokesperson for Choice Housing, which owns the London Road apartment block, said: "The safety and well-being of our tenants is our priority and we invest heavily to ensure that people feel safe in their homes. 

"We are aware of recent incidents of antisocial behaviour in the locality of 95 London Road and are actively engaging with our tenants, PSNI and local community groups in the area in relation to ongoing issues."

It is understood that the incident is not being considered hate motivated.

Last June a Catholic couple living at nearby London Street were forced to leave their home after being targeted by a loyalist mob.

The couple were branded "Fenian b*******s" and their car attacked.

Séamas de Faoite. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Séamas de Faoite. Picture by Hugh Russell. Séamas de Faoite. Picture by Hugh Russell.

SDLP representative Séamas de Faoite described the London Road area as "diverse and pluralist". 

"Anti-social or hateful behaviour is not reflective of the people who live in the neighbourhood," he said. 

"The site in question has been proposed for much needed housing development, which I am keen to see progress as soon as possible."