Northern Ireland

PSNI probe pig's head left at east Belfast community centre

A pig’s head was placed against the shutters of Inverary Community Centre and racist graffiti was sprayed on its walls. Picture by George Dorrian
A pig’s head was placed against the shutters of Inverary Community Centre and racist graffiti was sprayed on its walls. Picture by George Dorrian A pig’s head was placed against the shutters of Inverary Community Centre and racist graffiti was sprayed on its walls. Picture by George Dorrian

A pig’s head has been left outside an east Belfast community centre and racist graffiti sprayed on its walls

Inverary Community Centre, which runs a wide range of activities including after-school clubs and keep fit classes, was targeted at around 5am on Saturday.

A pig’s head was placed against the shutters of the building and graffiti including Nazi swastikas and the phrases "no Muslims" and "no blacks" was sprayed on its walls.

Cleaning staff from Belfast City Council removed the slogans.

A similar attack took place at a Muslim prayer centre in Co Down last month, when a pig’s head was left outside the Bangladesh Islamic Community Centre in Newtownards.

DUP councillor George Dorrian said he was "angry and disappointed" at the latest attack.

"With so much good going on in the area, including the football coaching of hundreds of kids every week, it is disappointing to think that there are still those who creep around in the middle of the night, damaging property and attempting to stir hatred against those who have joined our community," he said.

"Contrast this with the proud achievements being celebrated by the east Belfast community last night, not half a mile away, which included a celebration of Slovakian children's dancing. The reception they received showed the real face of east Belfast, not this futile and shameful act."

Alliance councillor David Armitage said racist graffiti was also recently written on walls in Dunraven Avenue and Glenbrook Avenue in the east of the city.

“It is both disgusting and maddening to think there are people who will go to such lengths to whip up tensions in our community,” he said.

“To leave a pig’s head and racist graffiti is not just an attack on the Muslim members of our community but on all of us."

PSNI Inspector Ian McCormick condemned the attack and called on anyone who noticed any suspicious activity to contact police.

"Hate crime, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that we live in a society where diversity is respected," he said.

"If you or someone you know is the victim of a hate crime please contact police or your local support agency."