'Pathetic bigots' in new N.Ireland attacks

Politicians today slammed thugs who targeted members of the Turkish and Indian communities in the latest act of racial violence in Northern Ireland.

Police were trying to hunt down those responsible for damaging cars and daubing racist slogans such as “Turks Out” on their victims’ homes in Comber, Co Down.

In the first incident, at around 3.30am, a brick was thrown through the rear window of a Renault Megane car parked outside a house in Charles Way and offensive graffiti was daubed on the front.

In the other incident, a brick was thrown through the window of a Ford Escort car and graffiti was also painted on a house in Lower Crescent.

Police in Newtownards believe the same people carried out both attacks.

They are appealing for information from anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in both areas before the incidents.

Democratic Unionist Assembly member George Ennis said there had been concerns about racial intimidation in the area.

The Strangford MLA said he had raised, at a district policing partnership meeting, the problem of racial intimidation after an incident in Comber last month.

“I have today contacted the local police District Commander and urged him to utilise every available resource to catch and deal with those behind this disgraceful behaviour,” Mr Ennis said.

“This sort of activity is reprehensible and it is seemingly happening everywhere in Northern Ireland.

“Many people from abroad are living in the Province and working in vital jobs like medicine. I am confident the Health Service couldn’t cope without them.

“This is supposed to be a free society and everybody ought to be free to live where they want no matter where in the world they’re from,” he said.

Nationalist SDLP representative Joe Boyle said those responsible were “pathetic bigots”.

“This is yet another shameful attack on ethnic communities in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Those responsible are pathetic bigots who prey on innocent people. They are racist bullies who bring a bad name on Northern Ireland.

“My thoughts are with the Turkish and Indian communities at this time and I want them to know that the thugs responsible for this intimidation do not represent the wider community here.”

The incidents were also condemned by Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry. Noting “Turks Out” had been written on one of the houses, he said: “These are signs we have seen in England before and I don’t want to see those signs in Northern Ireland, let alone in Comber.”