Republican News · Thursday 20 June 1997

[An Phoblacht]

ti-Catholic posters ``understandable'' - MP

By Eoin O'Broin

Sinn Féin councillor for South Belfast, Sean Hayes, has accused Unionist MP for the area, Martin Smyth, of ``implicitly supporting loyalists engaged in an anti-Catholic witch hunt'' in the Village area of the city.

Hayes made his accusation after Smyth described a poster campaign threatening Catholics as ``understandable''.

The poster states that ``the Loyalist people of the Village/Donegall Road have tolerated long enough the Nationalist Scum that have flooded the area in recent years''.

The poster also berates Protestant residents for being ``complacent regarding who their neighbours are'' and states: ``In this current political climate it is unwise to have a Nationalist as a neighbour and even worse to befriend one''.

It concludes: ``In the light of events, as from 12 noon on the 1st July 1997 the Loyalist people of the Village/Donegall Road will no longer be able to guarantee the safety of any Nationalist who chooses to remain within the area, nor can they guarantee the safety of any property where Nationalists are dwelling''.

Responding to the appearance of the posters, Gerry Adams said, ``This is a very serious development which has significantly heightened tensions in that area and which will be felt right across Belfast.

``There is an onerous responsibility on the Unionist and loyalist parties to take a public stand against these sectarian threats.''


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