O’Loan condemns arson attack

SDLP Councillor Declan O’Loan has condemned an arson attack at a house on the Galgorm Road on Sunday night, which he says was “racist”.

Speaking out yesterday (Monday), Mr O’Loan stated: “This was a very serious attack which could easily have led to loss of life. I hope and expect that the police will investigate it as attempted murder.

“It is absolutely certain that the motivation was racist. A resident who is from South Africa was the target of the attack. Graffiti of a very explicit and unpleasant racist nature was painted on the building.”

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“It is important that we send out the message that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable in Ballymena,” said the SDLP Councillor.

He added: “The best way to do that is to apprehend the culprits and put them before the courts. There are several thousand people here from other countries and they play a valued part in our community. We need to reassure them that they are welcomed in Ballymena.”