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"Fri, May 01 2026, 20:19:51 GMT-4" [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4] ]

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Date Posted: 10:39:01 05/03/04 Mon
Author: SDLP Man Blames Attack On Republicans
Subject: Re: South Belfast / University area Violence
In reply to: QUB Graduate 's message, "South Belfast / University area Violence" on 05:25:04 05/02/04 Sun

SDLP Man Blames Attack On Republicans
By Johnny Caldwell

Monday 3rd May 2004 Belfast newsletter

REPUBLICANS are being blamed for a weekend attack on the Ormeau Road home of an SDLP councillor.

Paint was thrown at the Cooke Street home of Pat McCarthy early yesterday morning.

Mr McCarthy said he believed he was being targeted because he had raised questions over the whereabouts of public money which was to be used in tackling social deprivation in the Shaftesbury Ward area.

The third attack on Mr McCarthy's home in as many weeks, took place sometime between 3am and 5am.

Mr McCarthy's wife's car, which was parked outside the property, boar the brunt of the attack.

The councillor and his wife had got up early yesterday morning to get ready for a holiday in Portugal.

"We got up this morning to go to Dublin airport and opened the blinds to find paint over the window and the wife's car," said Mr McCarthy.

"This is the third attack in a couple of weeks. Last weekend, we came home to find plants had been thrown over the car."

When asked who he thought was responsible for the attacks, Mr McCarthy said: "Let's put it this way, I don't think it was loyalists.

"There are certain people in my own area who are not happy that I am raising questions about the creaming off of public funds aimed at targeting social deprivation in the Shaftesbury Ward.

"There are literally millions in European peace money coming into this area and disappearing. I have raised my concerns with senior Government officials, but the Government clearly doesn't want to know."

SDLP Lord Mayor of Belfast Martin Morgan condemned the attack on Mr McCarthy's home.

"I have spoken to Pat and he is in absolutely no doubt that the attack is political, although we are not talking about the normal run of democratic politics here," said Mr Morgan.

"It is related to his work in trying to ensure accountability for all public funding."

Mr Morgan went on to pay tribute to his colleague. "To me, Pat represents all the best aspects of local democratic political representation. Pat is hard-working and he is honest, and these are the qualities that have brought him into conflict with political elements who have neither," said Mr Morgan.

"For evil to triumph, all that is necessary is that good men do nothing. Pat will not turn a blind eye because he wants public life to be honest and democracy to flourish. It is time to take thuggery out of our political system."

Belfast DUP MLA Robin Newton said the attack was a disgraceful act carried out by thugs who are worried by democracy.

"I do not agree with SDLP politics and I am prepared to oppose the policies of the SDLP councillors within City Hall." said Mr Newton.

"However, I am also ready to defend the right of Pat McCarthy to hold his political views without the fear of physical attack on him or his property.

"This attack comes from those with a Nazi state of mind and, if allowed to go unchallenged, this type of attitude will destroy the democratic process.

"The attack on Pat McCarthy must be condemned in the way assaults on all innocent people, regardless of their role in life, must be condemned from whatever quarter they come."

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Replies:

  • Re: South Belfast / University area Violence / PSNI officer mowed down in Belfast -- brian, 01:59:04 06/04/04 Fri
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