Tourists intimidated in Bushmills
TOURISTS from the 26 Counties are increasingly afraid to visit the North Antrim town of Bushmills - home of one of the world's most famous whiskeys - because of loyalist intimidation.
The town is awash with loyalist graffiti and paramilitary flags, including UDA and UVF flags, and an attempt was recently made to burn a bus used by American tourists because it had Southern registration plates.
Moyle District Council prides itself on the area's tourist attractions, which include the Giants Causeway, Bushmills Distillery and the Antrim Glens, but it has confirmed that it has received a number of complaints from tourists about intimidation.
Independent Nationalist Councillor Oliver McMullan has said that he too has been approached by tourists complaining of verbal abuse and intimidation. ``It appears to be happening regularly. I was approached by a couple who had stones thrown at their car because it had Southern number plates,'' he said.
Local councillors are now seeking a meeting with the Bushmills Community Association (BCA) to find a solution to the problem.
However, the chairperson of BCA, George Hartin, a DUP councillor in the area, said he agreed the UDA and UVF flags were intimidating but believed nothing could be done to resolve the matter.
``There are flags up around the village but I don't agree they are stopping tourists coming to Bushmills,'' he said
Pregnant woman assaulted by loyalist marcher
A HEAVILY PREGNANT woman was attacked by a marcher taking part in the Royal Black Institution parade through Belfast city centre on Saturday, 28 August.
Tracey O'Neill, who is seven and a half months pregnant, was assaulted by the marcher in Donegall Square East as she tried to cross the road on her way to work in Chichester Street on Saturday morning.
O'Neill said that she was unaware that any protocol existed during marches and that she waited for a break in the parade before attempting to cross the road. As she attempted to get to the other side of the road, however, she was grabbed by the shoulders by the marcher. The woman was then verbally abused and the marcher told her that she could only cross when he allowed her to do so.
O'Neill said: ``He was the last man marching and he must have seen me stepping off the kerb. He just grabbed me and told me he didn't care if I was pregnant - I'd show respect and wait until he let me cross. He was middle aged and absolutely stinking of drink.''
She said that she was further distressed by the fact that no one had come to her aid, despite the fact that there were plenty of witnesses among onlookers.
A number of similar incidents were reported to the RUC following Saturday's Royal Black parade.
Derry petrol bomb attack
SINN FEIN Councillor Lynn Fleming has condemned a petrol bomb attack in the Waterside area of Derry as another incident in a campaign by loyalist organisations to create Catholic-free areas.
The attack is the latest in a series of attacks across the north against Catholics in areas were they are vulnerable. The sectarian attacks are clearly designed to intimidate Catholics and drive them from their homes.
Fleming has said that it is vital that unionist representatives address this issue and use their influence to bring these sectarian attacks to an end. She said that unionist politicians in Derry are stating that Protestants in the city are being targeted when the reality is somewhat different.
She concluded: ``At a time when some unionist politicians in Derry are continually attempt to portray Protestants in Derry as a beleaguered community, the reality is that Catholic people involved in mixed religion relationships in isolated or predominantly unionist quarters are bearing the brunt of violent sectarian attacks.''
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