COMMUNITY IS LIVING IN FEAR

A petrol bomb was lobbed at the home of the Catholic mother of Northern Ireland and Fulham footballer Chris Baird at Wallace Park facing onto the Main Street in Rasharkin and then a shotgun cartridge with a chilling warning declaring ‘Get Out Protestant Scum’ was put through the letter box of a Protestant household in Belmont Park.

And now it has emerged a Protestant woman who lived at Main Street has left her home after police informed her on September 10 that they were in receipt of anonymous information that she would be attacked by ‘an unknown Catholic group’ if she didn’t flee within 48 hours.

The latest incidents have once again catapulted Rasharkin into the media spotlight.

It remains unclear why the attack at Wallace Park happened. One possible theory is that it was an attack by loyalists on a random Catholic home which faces onto the Main Street so a quick getaway was possible.

Another possible motive being put forward by some is that the attack was actually carried out by Republicans opposed to Chris Baird playing for Northern Ireland.

Police sources said they are unaware of the motive but one said: “It looks more likely that it was a loyalist attack.”

A PSNI spokesman would only confirm that they are investigating ‘sectarian’ motives for both incidents at Wallace Park and Belmont Park.

A spokesman said: “These incidents were obviously very frightening for the people involved. Around 3.45am on Sunday a petrol bomb was thrown at the front of a house at Wallace Park causing scorch damage and cracking the outer pane of double-glazing. Two females were in the house and there could have been tragic consequences if a fire had developed..”

It is understood Chris Baird’s mother and sister were in the house which was also damaged at the end of August.

The PSNI spokesman added: “Around 9.30pm on Sunday at Belmont Park a woman got a letter through her letterbox with a shotgun cartridge in it along with a threatening message. Items were seized for forensic examination.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the Rasharkin incidents to contact them on 08456008000 or phone the Crimestoppers confidential freephone number on 0800555111.