Equality Commission called over NI apartment row

Northern Ireland’s Equality Commission has become involved in a row over loyalist threats against Catholics living in an apartment block in Belfast city centre.

The Equality Commission has said it is concerned that residents in the apartment block are being intimidated out of their homes.

The block is on the fringes of Sandy Row, a loyalist stronghold close to the city centre as well as a major hospital and Queen's University.

Residents include nurses and office workers, both Protestant and Catholic, along with some Chinese families.

Loyalists alleged the residents of swearing at them and flying tricolours out of the windows, although the police have said they have no records of complaints.

Dame Joan Harbinson, chief commissioner of the Equality Commission has said the right to protest must not extend to intimidation.