In a statement on January 9, 2025 a spokesperson for Cumann Tomás Ó hAirt, Sinn Féin Poblachtach, Ard Mhacha Thuaidh: “This latest deed by unknown persons is nothing more than racist thuggery”.
“This past week tensions have been rising after a crowd smashed windows in four properties. The local media reported that this incident occurred after a suspicious approach was made to a child at a nearby play park.
“The latest incident has caused further bad feeling towards those being described by locals as ‘foreigners’ according to the Irish News. They have also reported that signs have been erected outside a primary school and reference that ‘local homes for local people’ and the “Islamic state”. Also Included was a symbol illustrating ‘cross hairs’ which has been historically associated with a threat of violence.
“Other media outlets reported that these racial incidents have occurred in the Mourneview Estate; a predominantly Protestant area that is situated in the town of Lurgan, Co Armagh.
“Sinn Féin Poblachtach states clearly that this is racist thuggery.
“Unfortunately, these incidents are more than just isolated. They have been on the rise throughout the Occupied Six Counties. While ever since the so-called Good Friday Agreement in 1998 nothing has changed. We know sectarianism forms a sub-category of racism and we also understand that both of these social markers have been known to manifest as negative beliefs, discrimination, and harassment.
“Therefore, people arrive from other parts of the world looking for work or a better way of life whether it be owing to war, persecution, poverty and or injustice. The integration of cultural differences with appropriate support structures is paramount.
“These people are already vulnerable and moving to the Occupied Six Counties and these incidents ensure they feel further punished. That said, maybe this can be about those residents in Mourneview as well who evidently feel let down by the so-called Stormont administration and its ‘First Minister for all’ who has made lots of promises and little action.”
PRO,Cumann Tomás Ó hAirt
Ard Mhacha Thuaidh
CRÍOCH/ENDS
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