Northern Ireland

One woman's act of kindness at Belfast interface

A hand reaches out as a woman handed a bag with food underneath the gates at Lanark Way. Picture by Mal McCann
A hand reaches out as a woman handed a bag with food underneath the gates at Lanark Way. Picture by Mal McCann A hand reaches out as a woman handed a bag with food underneath the gates at Lanark Way. Picture by Mal McCann

JUST hours after violence erupted at a Belfast interface, one woman's act of kindness across the divide was captured on camera.

Carrying a bag filled with food, she approached the shut gates at Lanark Way.

Kneeling down to the ground, just seconds later a hand appeared from beneath the gates and the woman, understood to be Asian, passed the food parcel underneath.

It is believed that the woman could only speak limited English and it remained unclear if she was aware of the seriousness of the trouble in the area.

The simple act of kindness, captured yesterday by Irish News photographer Mal McCann, came just hours after violence and disorder had erupted at the interface gates.

Over recent nights, tyres and bins have been set on fire near Lanark Way, while petrol bombs, stones and missiles have been thrown.

The gates were also set alight on Wednesday night after crowds of people gathered at either side of the divide.

The clear-up operation in the area continued today with the peace line gates removed by contractors after they had sustained damage during the rioting.

Work had been carried out on the gates yesterday following serious disorder the previous night.

But the Department of Justice, which has responsibility for the interface gates, said "extensive repair work" was needed.

A spokesperson told the Irish News: "The DoJ contractor has been on site throughout today (Thursday) seeking to repair damage to the Lanark Way interface gates.

"Of the two sets of double gates one set has been repaired and is in working order, the other needs more extensive repair work which is likely to require the removal of a portion of the barrier to be repaired off site.

"In the interim the gates have been locked closed."

Read more:Lanark Way - A flashpoint for more than 150 years