Sectarian tension rises in Larne
Nationalists in the County Antrim town of Larne have told An
Phoblacht of their fears of increased sectarianism in the run up to a
planned loyalist march in support of Drumcree Orangemen this Friday.
They were speaking after a weekend in which a Catholic family was
targeted in the Antiville estate and three others injured by a gang
of loyalists who stormed into the town's Railway Bar.
One man said the weekend attack on the Catholic family ``is only the
latest in a catalogue of attacks on the man's family since the
summer''.
The man's parents, aunt and cousin have all been forced out of Larne
since July and the Drumcree standoff.
They are living in Housing Executive homes in Carnlough having been
forced to abandon their privately owned homes in Larne.
During the latest attack the family car was wrecked. The man was told
two weeks ago to get out of Larne. We have been told the UVF is
behind the threat and the attack. The UVF warned a second man over
the weekend to leave Larne.
In the attack on the Railway Bar, which is only minutes from the
town's RUC barracks a mini-bus carrying about 15 loyalists with clubs
went in and assaulted three afternoon drinkers.
They escaped with only minor injuries although they did receive
treatment at Antrim Hospital.
``Attacks on Catholics are an ongoing thing but with this march at the
weekend people are worried that the loyalists, with their blood up,
will go on the rampage. It's very worrying,'' one man said.
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