Bloody Sunday Trust condemns rioters using ‘horrific attack’ to ‘stoke racist division in Ireland’
The Bloody Sunday Trust has condemned Tuesday evening’s violence across parts of Belfast as ‘just an excuse for those who want to stoke racist division in Ireland’.
Trust Chair Tony Doherty said: “The attack on Monday night was horrific, and our thoughts go out to the victim and wish him a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts are also with those in the north Belfast community where this attack took place.
“However, the reaction to this attack has been pure and simple racism. It is being used as just an excuse for those who want to stoke racist division in Ireland."
Mr. Doherty lamented increasing ‘noise from the far right in Ireland in recent years, encouraged by far-right agitators from Britain and the USA, who want to see Irish people turn against their neighbours’.
"This must not be allowed to happen,” said the Bloody Sunday Trust chair.
He went on to blast the use of the national flag by far right elements.
“It is also a disgrace to see our national flag, designed as a symbol of unity, being used by those who fly in the face of everything that Ireland should stand for, a welcoming nation that has its own history of its people travelling the world for a better life and understands well why others have to do the same,” he said.
Mr. Doherty was speaking after far right anti-immigrant protestors unleashed violent disorder in the greater Belfast area on Tuesday evening when vehicles were burned and homes attacked.