Northern Ireland

East Belfast GAA club's goalposts torched by arsonists

Police arrive at the Henry Jones Playing Fields where the nets and a post were damaged in an arson attack. Picture by Mal McCann
Police arrive at the Henry Jones Playing Fields where the nets and a post were damaged in an arson attack. Picture by Mal McCann Police arrive at the Henry Jones Playing Fields where the nets and a post were damaged in an arson attack. Picture by Mal McCann
By John Breslin

East Belfast GAC was the target once again of an attack as recently erected posts and netting were torched by arsonists.

The posts and netting at the Henry Jones Playing Fields on the Church Road in the Castlereagh area were set alight sometime late on Monday or in the early hours of Tuesday. Police are investigating.

East Belfast, one of the largest clubs in the north but still seeking a permanent home, uses the playing fields for training. 

Police arrive at the Henry Jones Playing Fields. Picture Mal McCann
Police arrive at the Henry Jones Playing Fields. Picture Mal McCann Police arrive at the Henry Jones Playing Fields. Picture Mal McCann

One of its women’s teams noticed the scorch damage to the post and burned netting on arrival for training on Tuesday. It is the latest threat against the club following a security alert at the same playing fields in May.

Police carried out searches after a threat was called in claiming devices were left at the venue.

The scene of the May security alert at the Henry Jones playing fields where the East Belfast GAA team train. Picture Mal McCann
The scene of the May security alert at the Henry Jones playing fields where the East Belfast GAA team train. Picture Mal McCann The scene of the May security alert at the Henry Jones playing fields where the East Belfast GAA team train. Picture Mal McCann

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said this week's arson incident was "the latest in a growing catalogue of attempts to intimidate and bully the members of East Belfast GAA".

“The people behind this latest attack need to wise up. East Belfast becomes a more shared space every day and it should be a place where everyone feels comfortable to live, work and enjoy themselves," he said.

East Belfast, with more than 600 members, including more than 200 at under-age level, plays its games at various venues, including Mallusk.

Belfast City Council earlier this year said it was in the process of reconfiguring “four existing grass pitches to create one soccer pitch and one GAA pitch” at the Henry Jones Playing Fields.

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The posts were erected several weeks ago, paid for by the Down and Ulster GAA boards. Three quarters of the use of the playing field is by East Belfast GAA teams, it emerged following a Freedom of Information request.

Police are investigating after the nets were damaged in an arson attack. Picture Mal McCann
Police are investigating after the nets were damaged in an arson attack. Picture Mal McCann Police are investigating after the nets were damaged in an arson attack. Picture Mal McCann

Apart from the security alert in May, there were previous threats in 2020, while Strandtown Primary School received intimidating messages after it hosted "taster" or trial sessions organised by East Belfast.It was part of East Belfast's 'Come and Try' outreach programme for children unfamiliar with the games of football, hurling and camogie.Prior to the security alert in May, Anne Smyth, the unsuccessful TUV candidate in the May council elections in an entirely different ward from the location of the playing fields, said they are being "converted for GAA use only and three well established football teams have been told to find other accommodation for their sport”. The council said this was untrue.

Kimberly Robertson, chair of East Belfast GAA.
Kimberly Robertson, chair of East Belfast GAA. Kimberly Robertson, chair of East Belfast GAA.

Club chair Kimberly Robertson described Ms Smyth's comments as “inflammatory and unnecessary” and said it was uncomfortable to see a politician "rile up hatred" and put members of the club at risk.“(The) council is aware of damage caused within Henry Jones Playing Fields. We have assessed the damage, reported the incident to the PSNI and are progressing repairs to the site," a Belfast City council spokesperson said."We continue to work in partnership with the local community and statutory agencies including the PSNI to address issues of anti-social behaviour and vandalism. We would appeal to the public to report incidents of this nature to the PSNI."