Windows smashed at church which sheltered Romanians

A church in the North which offered sanctuary to more than 100 Romanians when they fled their homes amid racist attacks was itself attacked overnight.

The windows of City Church in University Street, south Belfast, were smashed by stone-throwers.

Pastor Malcolm Morgan discovered the damage when he arrived this morning.

He said: “I arrived at 7am and found several windows smashed at the front of our church and the main door windows smashed.

“There were stones lying scattered on the floor inside and outside and obviously broken glass all around.”

Mr Morgan said the church had never been attacked in such a way before but added that it was only speculation that it was connected to the help the church had given to the 22 Romanian families.

“It would be easy to conclude that it was someone who did not like our work with the Romanians, but that is only guesswork.

“If it is, I think that is very sad. We had nothing but positive comments all last week – so many emails and local folk thanking us – so it was quite a surprise this morning,” he said.

He said he did not regret what he had done for the migrant workers.

“Absolutely not. I was just thrilled we as a church were able to respond last week and we would do the same tomorrow.”

The Romanians – 115 people, including 49 children – spent the night in the church hall before being found temporary accommodation in student homes left empty for the summer holidays.

They fled their homes after a series of racist attacks.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said they were investigating the attack on the church and appealing for information.

A number of items had been taken away for examination, said a spokeswoman, who said a motive was being investigated.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man was due to appear in court later today charged with intimidating Romanians.

The suspect is also accused of provocative behaviour during disturbances earlier this month which saw the migrants flee their homes in south Belfast.

Politicians have appealed for unity and the Romanian ambassador visited Belfast last week in a sign of solidarity with the displaced.