Convoy attackers‘buck eejits’

He made the comments when DUP MLA Sammy Douglas asked him to join with him in “condemning all recent attacks, including those in the Fountain estate in the Maiden City, racist attacks in south Belfast and, in particular, the attack last Friday in Convoy in County Donegal.”

He replied: “Without hesitation. Before I was even asked the question, I made it absolutely clear during the course of the North/South Ministerial Council meeting that I was absolutely appalled at the burning of the Orange hall in Convoy.

“It was not until later in the day that I learned that an attempt was made to burn a Presbyterian church and that the buck eejits responsible went into the church and attempted to burn a bible.

“That on top of the recent attempt to burn the Orange hall in Newtowncunningham, as well as the racist attacks that the Member mentioned and, of course, the attack on Padraig McShane’s house in north Antrim, are all very serious matters that could conceivably have resulted in the loss of life.”

He went on to praise organisations in the Londonderry area who have worked hard to build better relations and combat sectarianism.

“I come from a part of the North where there are good relationships amongst the community; among the Apprentice Boys and the local community in Derry,” he said.

“There is great respect and tolerance for cultural traditions in that city. When I see events taking place in the hinterland of that city that are an attempt to fracture the building of those good relationships, I am horrified.

“I get very angry. We all need to consistently challenge ourselves to see what more we can do.

“However, we certainly must be see to be standing together against racism and sectarianism.”