South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Ó Donnghaile condemns another night of attacks on the Short Strand area

Published: 4 November, 2008

Speaking after another night of attacks on Saint Matthews Chapel and the Strand Walk area, Sinn Féin East Belfast representative Niall Ó Donnghaile has condemned those responsible and called for an immediate end to the violence.

Speaking from the Short Strand Mr Ó Donnghaile said,

"I was on the ground and witnessed the attacks on homes in Strand Walk and on Saint Matthews Chapel; things being hurled ranged from petrol bombs to heavy duty fireworks.

"I want to make it very clearly that this cannot and must not be allowed to develop into a worse situation; political Unionism must make it very clear to those people responsible for carrying out these attacks that they are unacceptable and must end.

"An attack on any community is wrong and should be condemned; a lot of people in East Belfast have put in a great degree of work to avoid situations like this from developing and that work must continue. Community and statutory representatives and groups must build on the good work that has taken place and all of us must collectively tackle this issue together around the table before someone is seriously injured or worse." CRÍOCH