Republican News · Thursday 24 August 2000

[An Phoblacht]

Recent loyalist attacks on nationalists

August 14

Catholic residents in three homes in Ballymena are targeted by loyalists. Residents escape injury when paper and flammable liquid is poured through their letter boxes and set alight. One house in Knockeen Crescent is extensively damaged. A couple escape through a side window. Loyalists throw paint bombs through windows of two Catholic homes in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim and a Catholic church in the town is targeted by arsonists.

A 50-year-old Catholic man is attacked by a loyalist gang wielding baseball bats and pick axe handles in Lisburn, Co. Antrim. Loyalists target the home of South Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Sean Hayes. A building facing Annadale street is attacked with paint bombs.

Two people escape injury when flammable liquid is poured through the letterbox of a flat in Mill Road, Newtownabbey. A Catholic home is attacked in the Bawnmore area of North Belfast. Petrol was poured through the letterbox and set alight shortly after 5.30am. The car used in the attack is later discovered in the loyalist Rathcoole area.

August 16

A young Larne couple were forced to leave their home after a paving slab was hurled at their home. The couple, a Catholic man and his Protestant girlfriend were one of a number of homes targeted in Larne. Five houses in Craigyhill estate were targeted.

One victim told AP/RN: ``Loyalist mobs have been openly acting in Larne, everyone in Larne knows who is behind this, yet the RUC have done nothing. I have had enough. It is time to get myself and my family out''.

In one incident a cross-bow bolt was fired through the window of a house where SDLP Assembly member Danny O'Connor's brother lives.

In Ballymena dozens of Catholic children, some as young as 8 years of age were forced to run the gaunlet of sectarian abuse after the bus in which they were travelling was attacked during a summer scheme outing.

August 17

Three Catholic homes in Barracks Street in the Lower Falls in Belfast are attacked shortly before midnight. Windows are smashed and paint bombs are thrown by loyalist mobs. One of the houses is the home of SDLP Counillor Margaret Walsh.

August 21

A crowd of 2000 people attending the official opening of the Clonard Rememberance Gardens are attacked from behind the peace line. Rocks, stones, bottle and bricks are hurled over the wall. Several people are injured, including a one-year-old child hit on the head by a stone.


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