Republican News · Thursday 6 June 2002

Short Strand attacked again

A 400-strong loyalist mob engaged in a standoff, reminiscent of Drumcree, on the edge of Short Strand, a nationalist enclave in the predominantly loyalist east Belfast, on Wednesday, the sixth day of attack on the area. In full view of the British Army and RUC/PSNI personnel, a masked loyalist drove a hijacked lorry to blockade the Newtownards Road.

Earlier that morning, after the first relatively quiet night in almost a week, nationalists attempting to collect pensions, child benefit and welfare from their local post office had their path blocked by around a hundred loyalists, including many women. An elderly man and his three-year-old granddaughter were among a number of Short Strand Catholics who suffered sectarian abuse as access to the post office was denied by the mob.

People from the Short Strand were also prevented from attending the chemist on Newtownards Road, the doctor's surgery on Madrid Street as well as the post office on the Albertbridge Road. The Health Depatment was forced to issue emergency perscriptions and alternative medical provision was arranged.

A short time later, a loyalist mob attacked mourners during a funeral Mass at the local St Matthew's Catholic Chapel. Pallbearers carrying the coffin were forced to retreat back into the chapel and the burial was delayed for over an hour with mourners under siege by the mob. Loyalists threw bricks, stones and bottles at the chapel during the attack and a number of mourners, including children, required hospital treatment. The family of the deceased woman was described as extremely distressed at the incident.

Sinn Féin Councillor Joe O'Donnell said the actions of the loyalist blockaders and their attack on a funeral was aimed at further heightening tensions in what was already a volatile situation.

Speaking at a Belfast press conference, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams called for an intervention to bring an end to the violence in East Belfast.

"We can speculate about the agendas within unionism, loyalism, within the securocrats or even within the British establishment," said Adams. "But whatever the agenda, the violence still must stop.

"I have spoken to the British Secretary of State John Reid, to PUP leader David Ervine, the Taoiseach's Department, Joe O'Donnell and other councillors. I have asked for a meeting with David Ervine and I will be speaking to the Taoiseach.

"We want to facilitate dialogue. We believe that there must be an intervention across civic society. This means church leaders, community leaders, trade unionists and politicians not sitting back and being spectators but working to bring this to an end." (More Inside: Pages 3 and 10/11)