North Belfast representatives condemn ‘appalling’ intimidation of families by West Belfast UDA

It is understood four Catholic families living in the mixed housing development have been told to leave immediately

Local representatives in North Belfast have condemned “appalling” attacks and intimidation of Catholic families by the West Belfast UDA.

Families living in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas of the city were subjected to intimidation and attacks, including verbal threats. It is understood four Catholic families living in the mixed housing development have been told to leave immediately.

It comes after reports the West Belfast UDA last week pulled out of a deal to stop attacks on the development. In May, families in the area had their homes targeted by masked men in what police are treating as sectarian hate crimes.

READ MORE: ‘Outrageous and totally unacceptable’: Condemnation over reported intimidation of Catholic families in north BelfastREAD MORE: North Belfast sectarian attacks: Families targeted face ‘uncertain future’ amid call for support

A deal between the local UDA and a community representative said residents would be allowed time to be rehoused without the risk of further attack. However, it is understood that arrangement has now ended.

Local councillor Paul McCusker said the homes of Catholic families were targeted, and on Thursday evening ethnic minority families were also targeted nearby. He said politicians and community representatives need to take a stand against paramilitaries.

He said: “The families who remain there are frightened, angry, and worried for their future wondering if they’ll still be safe in their homes. They have had their windows smashed, verbal threats including sectarian language and being told they’re not welcome in the community.

“We need to think about the long-term impact on these families including children seeing masked men coming to these properties. Do we sit back and let these people run the communities and do what they want? That’s the way it seems at the minute.”

DUP North Belfast MLA, Brian Kingston, said he and his colleagues are “appalled” at further attacks on homes in the Oldpark area. He said: “I condemn that outright and without any equivocation, as has my colleague Councillor Jordan Doran. It’s utterly appalling that anyone has been subjected to threats, intimidation, and indeed attacks.

“That should not be happening and is deeply harmful for the victims and wider community, it undermines a lot of good work people are engaged in trying to improve those areas. We will be working at community level and with statutory agencies to pick up the pieces here. We need to move forward in a positive way which respects everyone’s right to live in peace.”

Victims campaigner Raymond McCord said he was able to broker a deal for families in the Clanmil Housing Association properties, to ensure they would not be attacked further by the West Belfast UDA. He said that deal has now broken down.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s The Nolan Show, he said: “The deal was made that families wouldn’t be attacked, as they had been threatened to be petrol bombed and pipe bombed. Nothing would happen until they could be rehoused.

“They could stay there until they got rehoused, but they had to go. It got to the stage where families and young kids didn’t want to stay.

“The windows were broken as a warning to get out or be petrol bombed out. The Friday I got the phone call saying the deal was off, I also received a bullet in the post, because I was helping the families.”

Mr McCord said “Stormont is failing these families,” and has called for government bodies to stop funding any group or organisation associated with the West Belfast UDA.

He said: “According to these people, if you’re a protestant or from the unionist community, you should do whatever the local paramilitaries tell you. The paramilitaries don’t control my life and don’t tell me what to do. We do what we believe is right, whether it’s Catholic houses being attacked or Protestant houses being attacked.

“Stormont is failing these families. I sent three emails to Emma Little-Pengelly and Michelle O’Neill since this started, and I’m still waiting on a reply from them. I was asking them to do the decent thing and meet the families and give them confidence politicians from both communities support them.

“I’m saying to the British government, Irish government and Stormont, stop all funding to any group or organisation connected to the West Belfast UDA. Stop the money and they’ll not be too long stopping their intimidation.”

Calling for an urgent meeting with police over the issue, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane said: “Everyone must stand against this criminality. We need to see and hear a united political response to this sectarian intimidation including from unionist representatives.

“This is not an isolated issue, and it requires all political parties and relevant agencies to stand together, face it down, and provide full support to the victims.

“Sinn Féin will be seeking an urgent meeting with police to discuss the response to this intimidation. Residents have the right to live safely, free from intimidation and violence.”

In response to sectarian intimidation in the area, the PSNI said they are “strengthening our policing footprint” in the area. A PSNI spokesperson said: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware of recent media reports in relation to sectarian intimidation in the Annalee Street area of north Belfast. We recognise the concerns such reporting may raise and want to assure the community that officers are actively working to establish the full facts.

“Intimidation of any kind has no place in society. Every individual has the right to live in peace, free from fear, in their own homes. Where those rights are threatened, police will leave no stone unturned in seeking to identify perpetrators and bring them before the courts.

“We have strengthened our policing footprint in the area and are making full use of the wide range of tools and tactics available to us to disrupt criminality and keep people safe.”

Local District Commander Superintendent Allister Hagan, added: “I want to be clear – intimidation will never be tolerated. The people of North Belfast deserve to live without fear or coercion, and those who attempt to control communities through threats or violence will face the full weight of the law.

“We will continue to use every power at our disposal to tackle those involved in criminality, however; policing is most effective when it is supported by the community we serve. I would appeal directly to anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact us. By working together, we can ensure that those intent on causing harm are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

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