SF welcomes removal of sectarian graffiti

Sinn Fein has welcomed moves by loyalist communities in east Belfast to remove sectarian graffiti and paramilitary murals from walls in their areas.

Speaking at the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in Dublin, local councillor Joe O'Donnell described the moves as positive.

However, he disputed claims from a loyalist community worker that the 2,500 Catholics living in the Short Strand are harassing and intimidating the 90,000 Protestants who live around them.

Mr O'Donnell insisted that any violence emanating from the nationalist community in east Belfast was retaliatory.