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21/08/2006
Loyalists blamed for city arson attack
Police are treating an arson attack on a home in north Belfast at the weekend, as sectarian.
Loyalists are being blamed for the attack, on the property in the Whitewell area of the city.
Juanita Magennis, 24, and her three-month-old baby daughter Mollie, were asleep in the bedroom of their home at Old Throne Park at around 6am yesterday morning, when the incident happened.
It is understood that up to six masked men were seen forcing open the steel casing around the oil tank, before setting it alight.
The flames then spread to the rear of the house and a nearby shed, causing extensive damage to the property.
Neighbours raised the alarm and managed to get the woman and her child safely out of the house.
The owner, Michael Magennis, said: "I can't begin to describe how I feel about it. It was total shock, I went through every emotion imaginable.
"But at the end of the day they were safe - that was the main priority."
Nigel Dodds MP for North Belfast, has condemned those responsible for the attack describing it as a “despicable attack” which could have resulted in serious injury or even death.
He continued: "Those responsible for this incident do not represent anyone and all right thinking people will be appalled at such a wanton act of violence.
"I trust that the police will receive all due cooperation so that such attacks can be brought to an end."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein Assembly member for North Belfast, Gerry Kelly condemned the incident and criticized Nigel Dodds, for not doing enough to prevent these types of attacks.
He said: “In the early hours of this morning unionists from White City attacked homes in Old Throne off the Whitewell Road. An oil tank was set on fire in one of the houses which then spread throughout the property. A 12 week old baby had to be rescued from the property.”
He continued: “This afternoon, for the second Sunday running, a large crowd came out of a loyalist bar in Tigers Bay and attacked Catholic homes on North Queen Street. These sorts of sectarian attacks are completely unacceptable.
“What nationalists in North Belfast are wondering is where is the local MP Nigel Dodds. What is he doing about ending attacks from within his community on innocent Catholics? We need to see action from Nigel Dodds and the DUP. They need to challenge the sectarian bigots responsible for these attacks and have them ended.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or who may have any information in relation to it, are asked to contact police in north Belfast on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.
(EF)
Loyalists are being blamed for the attack, on the property in the Whitewell area of the city.
Juanita Magennis, 24, and her three-month-old baby daughter Mollie, were asleep in the bedroom of their home at Old Throne Park at around 6am yesterday morning, when the incident happened.
It is understood that up to six masked men were seen forcing open the steel casing around the oil tank, before setting it alight.
The flames then spread to the rear of the house and a nearby shed, causing extensive damage to the property.
Neighbours raised the alarm and managed to get the woman and her child safely out of the house.
The owner, Michael Magennis, said: "I can't begin to describe how I feel about it. It was total shock, I went through every emotion imaginable.
"But at the end of the day they were safe - that was the main priority."
Nigel Dodds MP for North Belfast, has condemned those responsible for the attack describing it as a “despicable attack” which could have resulted in serious injury or even death.
He continued: "Those responsible for this incident do not represent anyone and all right thinking people will be appalled at such a wanton act of violence.
"I trust that the police will receive all due cooperation so that such attacks can be brought to an end."
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein Assembly member for North Belfast, Gerry Kelly condemned the incident and criticized Nigel Dodds, for not doing enough to prevent these types of attacks.
He said: “In the early hours of this morning unionists from White City attacked homes in Old Throne off the Whitewell Road. An oil tank was set on fire in one of the houses which then spread throughout the property. A 12 week old baby had to be rescued from the property.”
He continued: “This afternoon, for the second Sunday running, a large crowd came out of a loyalist bar in Tigers Bay and attacked Catholic homes on North Queen Street. These sorts of sectarian attacks are completely unacceptable.
“What nationalists in North Belfast are wondering is where is the local MP Nigel Dodds. What is he doing about ending attacks from within his community on innocent Catholics? We need to see action from Nigel Dodds and the DUP. They need to challenge the sectarian bigots responsible for these attacks and have them ended.”
Anyone who may have witnessed the attack, or who may have any information in relation to it, are asked to contact police in north Belfast on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.
(EF)
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