NI leaders condemn sectarian attacks on homes

The "full force of the law" must be applied to those involved in sectarian intimidation of some families in north Belfast, the First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said.

She was responding after a number of attacks on homes in a mixed housing scheme in north Belfast, which has led some residents to say they plan to leave the area.

Masonry was thrown at the recently built properties in Annalee Street and Alloa Street last Wednesday.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said parties needed to stand shoulder to shoulder politically to make clear all threats of violence were "absolutely wrong".

Clanmil Housing Association, which operates the housing scheme, has said the attacks are a "sectarian-motivated hate crime".

Speaking to reporters in County Tyrone on Wednesday, O'Neill said politicians had a duty to call out all sectarianism.

"Trying to run people out of their homes is intolerable, the full force of the law must be applied to those intimidating families," she added.

Little-Pengelly said: "We've sent a united messaged from the executive from the outset and will continue to do so."

Pol Callaghan, Clanmil Housing Association's Executive Director of Customer and Communities, described the attacks as "a mass attempt at cleansing of an area".

He told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme that those who were targeted "would be perceived of being from a Catholic nationalist background".

A multi-agency meeting was held on Tuesday as efforts continue to ensure the safety of a number of families.

Mr Callaghan said it was "behaviour en masse which is reminiscent of what we had thought we had left behind".

"We cannot accept that there's part of this city where anyone should not be able to live because of their perceived race, religion or anything else," he said.

"Whatever happens in this one street, in Annalee Street, over the next few days and weeks, there are significant lessons that have to be learned, either in terms of the future of this street or elsewhere, because we can't afford to set a precedent here.

"We have people who are sleeping in homes today who are literally in fear of their lives."

Mr Callaghan said Clanmil want everyone allocated a house in the scheme to stay long-term, but understood that some people are very fearful and have said they don't want to return to their homes.

"We are going to have to reflect on how we are going to manage the scheme over the next while," he said.

"We need to have a genuine inter-agency approach to dealing with this issue, because the situation as it currently stands cannot be allowed to stay."

On Tuesday, Justice Minister Naomi Long said the "sickening attacks are a reminder of a dark past and are carried out by those who wish to continue controlling the communities they purport to serve.

"It is unthinkable that young mothers are being forced to leave their homes, and I call on those responsible to desist now."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they have stepped up patrols in the area.

Sinn Féin's North Belfast MP John Finucane said there was a "sinister and organised element" to the sectarian attacks on homes in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas.

"This threat needs to be withdrawn immediately," Finucane said.

Independent councillor Paul McCusker said Tuesday's meeting had been very difficult for residents.

"The families who have been there since Wednesday are not able to sleep, are not eating, it is having a massive negative impact on their lives," he said.

He said many residents felt "communication hasn't been great between police and residents" adding there was a feeling police had not been "supportive enough".

Police said they are "focused on keeping the residents safe, and are providing enhanced patrols in the area as we work towards a resolution in conjunction with our community partners".

Tuesday's meeting had given police "the opportunity to listen to residents' legitimate concerns," Ch Insp Patrick Mullan said.