Sectarian graffiti at Felden housing development condemned

The graffiti, “No G’Mount (Graymount) Orange Scum Here” was daubed on the entrance wall of the Felden development last night (Monday, November 9).

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said: “I am utterly disgusted and appalled by this latest act of sectarian intimidation by Republicans who have been relentless in their campaign to deny families from the unionist community access to these homes.

“This continued campaign of threats and intimidation has clearly been orchestrated by those who would not tolerate a Protestant about the place.

“Whilst we have heard words of condemnation from nationalist and republican political representatives, we have failed to see any action to bring these acts to an end. Action is needed, not just words.

“I will be meeting with the Chief Executive of the Housing Executive later this week and will be reminding him that housing need in unionist areas was used to justify this development. He must now give the go ahead for a development of similar size that would meet that need.”

Sinn Fein Councillor Michael Goodman also condemned the incident.

“Any attempt to intimidate anyone should be condemned. I am very surprised that new graffiti has appeared at this time. Anyone who is trying to work up tensions in the area should desist. We should all stand together and support the Felden development,” he said.

There have been a number of incidents at the Felden site on the Mill Road in recent times including an earlier graffiti incident when sectarian graffiti was daubed on the walls at the entrance to the new development over the summer and issues over the erection of Irish tricolours close to the site.

All of the homes in the proposed shared housing development are due to be completed in the spring of 2016.