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McAleese praises east Belfast peace (UTV)
Irish President Mary McAleese said the past needs to be left behind as peace-building continues, during a visit to east Belfast.
Last week violence erupted on the streets of the Short Strand and Lower Newtownards Road with guns fired and homes from both communities damaged.
Speaking at Short Strand Community Centre during a one day visit to Belfast, President McAleese paid tribute to the people affected by the recent disturbances in the east of the city, times she said “we really hoped and thought were behind us”.
“We know the events of the past few weeks were disappointing to put it at its mildest, and they broke a lot of hearts of a little while, but they didn’t break spirits.
“That was a time of setbacks, but what happens when you face the setbacks? You do what you did here, and get stuck in again,” said the President.
“People get more determined to put in place all the supports, cross-community endeavours and dialogues.
“We’ve got to try and make sure that for the future of this community people are able to walk these streets no matter who they are – Catholic or Protestant, nationalist or unionist, gay or straight, coloured, non-coloured.”
The President was in a jovial mood as she met received a bouquet of flowers from a local east Belfast senior citizens group.
She pointed to her husband, Senator Martin who is originally from the area, and quipped “I’ve brought one of your own senior citizens back to you!”
Belfast Mayor, Niall Ó Donnghaile also met with President McAleese. He said the visit had significance for the people in the area.
“Given the experiences we had in this community last week, coming off the back of what I think everyone acknowledged was a very orchestrated attack on this community, to have the President with us today and visiting those who suffered on the other side of the Newtownards Road is a momentous occasion.
“It’s part and parcel of the hard work that the people in these communities are actively involved in , trying to stand against the UVF in east Belfast who would try to take us back,” said the mayor.
Both sides of the community had positive words for those trying to maintain peace in the area. Minister at the
East Belfast Mission, Rev Gary Mason said it was a difficult week for local residents.
“Hopefully it’s some testimony to the fact that there were members from both communities – the Short Strand and Newtownards Road, and further afield, in this room.
“There are still differences, but it is important that we are together.”