Home attacked because of GAA flag, says Cllr

Loyalist gunmen opened fire on a family’s home in Northern Ireland because they flew a Gaelic football flag, it was claimed today.

Three people escaped injury in the attack at Rochester Court in the Ballysally area of Coleraine, Co Derry, overnight.

As detectives confirmed they were treating the attack as sectarian, a former SDLP Assembly member for the area linked it to Sunday’s All-Ireland GAA football final between Armagh and Tyrone.

John Dallat claimed a window was smashed soon after a flag supporting Tyrone was erected.

He said: “I’m in no doubt that the shots fired related directly to that.

“We are all extremely disappointed that we haven’t got beyond the point where people can express support for a football team without shots being fired.”

Police said three adults were inside when the gunman opened fire, but no one was hurt.

The bullets caused minor damage to a front door and window.

Mr Dallat said the family, who have lived on the now staunchly Protestant Ballysally estate for 20 years, have now moved out.

“They are homeless. They are in temporary accommodation,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.

“Sadly in Coleraine, which has escaped relatively lightly, we have still these horrible incidents linked to one of the greatest sporting events of the year.”