Opinion

Sinister attack on political process

The Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast, Paul Maskey, was fully entitled to described the targeting of the party's Connolly House office in his constituency as an attack on the democratic process.

A fire was started at the rear of the Andersonstown Road premises in the early hours of yesterday, and quickly extinguished by the emergency services, while paint was also splattered on the front of the building.

It is only a matter of weeks since what police described as large industrial, firework-type devices, capable of causing serious damage or injury, were thrown at the homes of senior Sinn Féin figures Gerry Adams and Bobby Storey in the same area.

Attempts to intimidate members of any political group are entirely repugnant, and it is essential the perpetrators are brought before the courts without delay.