Fresh attacks linked to north Belfast festivals

Monday August 05, 2002 23:06

by McMean

A 100-strong loyalist mob hurled fireworks and various missiles at two women and a nine-year old boy as they gathered names for a trip for children in the Alliance Avenue area.

A Catholic woman, who came under attack from a loyalist mob,
said: "We were going to the first house to get a name for the trip
when a 100 loyalists surged forward from Glenbryn.

"They started throwing bottles and fireworks. I was petrified.
They were calling us fenian bitches and all sorts of names. I
crouched down thinking we were going to be shot."

Another woman, who was with her nine-year-old son, said: "I don't
know how many bricks nearly hit him.

"He was very lucky. This was well orchestrated."

Sinn Fein councillor Margaret McClenaghan urged nationalists to
remain vigilant and blamed loyalists for starting the latest
trouble.

"There seems to be a clear attempt by some sections of the
loyalist community to create confrontation deliberately during
the Ardoyne Fleadh," she said.

"Sinn Fein is calling on the nationalist community not to respond
to any loyalist provocation.

"I am calling on people to be vigilant and remain calm."

TEEN HOSPITALISED

A Catholic teenager is in stable condition after being attacked
by a loyalist mob wielding iron bars and sticks in north Belfast
at the weekend.

The 16-year-old was attacked by loyalist youths in the flashpoint
Clifton Park Avenue area.

Sinn Fein councillor Eoin O'Brion said the trouble began when a
loyalist gang entered the nationalist end and began smashing
windows.

He added the incident occurred during a street party to launch
the Oldpark Fleadh, one of a series of nationalist festivals
taking place across the city.

"There was a confrontation and a number of local lads gave chase.
He was badly hurt," he said.

"In the light of the festivals taking place this week and next
week, I would urge people in nationalist areas to be vigilant,"
he added.

PETROL BOMB FOLLOWS ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION

Meanwhile, a Belfast mother has told how loyalists attempted to
abduct her son on Friday morning, only to return an hour later to
petrol-bomb her home.

Catholic mother-of-four Margaret O'Neill said the family had had
a lucky escape.

"My 19-year-old son was waiting on the road outside the house for
his lift to work yesterday morning shortly before 8am when a car
with three men in it tried to abduct him," she said.

"He managed to jump over a fence and get away. I was in bed and
heard the shouting but didn't know what was happening.

"When they couldn't get him they shouted abuse and hurled a
hammer at him. We were just thankful that he was alive."

Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly said: "We are going through a very
difficult time and sectarian attacks should stop.

"The family of Gerard Lawlor made a call for no retaliation for
his murder and so did the partner of David Caldwell murdered in
Derry yesterday.

"People need to listen to these appeals and need to put an end to
these attacks before anyone else is killed."

PIPE BOMB THROWN OVER 'PEACE LINE'

A pipe bomb was discovered at the rear of Catholic homes in
north Belfast and local representiatives said it was intended to
add to the sectarian death toll in the area.

Sinn Fein councillor Mrs Margaret McClenaghan said the device,
which was found in the back garden of a home in Alliance Avenue
in Ardoyne, had been thrown over the peaceline from the loyalist
Glenbryn area.

Mrs McClenaghan said Catholic homes at the interface near Holy
Cross school had been subjected to continuing attacks in recent
days.

"In the course of the last few days there has been a lot of
activity in this area," she said.

"Houses in Alliance Avenue have come under attack from Glenbryn.
This device has quite clearly been thrown from Glenbryn during
this time.

"The device discovered was clearly intended to kill. It landed
behind the home of a man who is seriously ill.

"There is no doubt in my mind that those responsible had every
intention of adding to the sectarian death toll in north
Belfast," she added.