Three Face Charges Over Sectarian Assault

Sectarianism is back in focus in the North with three men charged with the attempted murder of a teenager in Antrim town on Friday due to appear in court today (Monday).

The men, who are all in their early 20s, are due at Coleraine Magistrates' Court over charges relating to a serious assault on a 17-year-old in Station Road that the police believe had a sectarian motive.

The Catholic youth who was attacked is in a stable condition in hospital and was initially taken to Antrim Area Hospital, but was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Sinn Fein has named him as Jordan Duffy - a member of St. Comgalls GAC - and also said that he was the victim of an apparently random sectarian attack on Friday 5th August.

Sinn Fein said Jordan was accompanied by two friends as they made their way along Station Road when they were challenged by a group of youths who asked where they were coming from and when named a local bar, they were immediately identified as Catholics and attacked, the Sinn Fein statement claimed.

Jordan suffered a vicious beating with Sinn Fein Antrim Town Councillor Noel Maguire saying: "This was a brutal sectarian attack which has left an innocent young Catholic seriously ill in hospital.

"There must be clear unequivocal condemnation of this vicious assault from all political representatives and community leaders, and there must be no hiding place for the thugs responsible.

"In the meantime I am appealing for calm - any retaliation will only add to the pain which Jordan and his family are now suffering, and place other innocent people at risk.

"People should cooperate fully with the PSNI to have this gang of bigots brought before the courts and made to pay for this sickening attack."

Belfast

Elsewhere, the NI Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has condemned sectarian attacks on Protestant occupied homes at east Belfast interfaces.

The DUP Minister visited the area last week and was able to see for himself the problems residents living across the interfaces have had to endure in terms of repeated attacks on their property.

Minister McCausland said: "I unreservedly condemn these attacks and praise the efforts of those in the community working to resolve the issue and reduce tensions. I have arranged for a senior official in my Department to convene a meeting with residents, elected representatives and all social landlords to identify what more can be done to protect homes along this interface."

He also said that the Habinteg Housing Association has ordered a clean up of their particular scheme at this location and has agreed to explore various options in respect of representations made to them by elected representatives about the need for better roofing.

(BMcC/GK)