Causeway Coast and Glens Alliance representatives condemn hate-motivated Bushmills attack
Causeway Coast and Glens Alliance representatives have strongly condemned an attack in Bushmills which police are treating as hate motivated.
A car parked outside a Bushmills house was burnt out and racist graffiti reading ‘Muslims out’, accompanied by a crosshair symbol, was also sprayed on the wall of the house.
Police attended as well as Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire. There was further damage noted to a nearby property which is believed to be linked to the fire, and this is being treated as hate motivated.
Alliance Alderman Richard Brown Stewart said: “This was a shocking and utterly deplorable attack which has no place whatsoever in our society. We have spoken with local residents, the police, and the owners of the vehicle, and the impact of this incident has been profound.
“What makes this even more distressing is that it happened directly outside the home of an 88-year-old woman who is currently dealing with health issues.
“Nobody should have to live in fear because of who they are, where they come from, or what faith they practise. This attack has affected not only those who were directly targeted, but an entire neighbourhood.”
Alliance Councillor Peter McCully added: “The vast majority of people in Bushmills are welcoming, decent and law-abiding. Acts such as this do not represent our community and should be condemned by everyone.
“Given the current unrest we are seeing across Northern Ireland, what we need now is calm and restraint.
“There is never any justification for intimidation, racism, criminal damage or violence, and whoever’s responsible must be held accountable. We must allow the police to carry out their investigation, and I would urge anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact police or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers.”