The Five Demands

SDLP councillor “stands firms after gun attack” (News Letter)

SDLP councillor Claire Hanna has vowed not to be “bullied” from her south Belfast home after a gun attack she is directly linking to the current tensions over flags.

Councillor Hanna said the attack was a violation of her family home, where she has lived peacefully for more than six years.

The attack happened on Thursday night while the councillor, her husband and one-year-old daughter were on a trip in the Republic.

Gunshot marks are clearly visible on her front window and panes of stained glass on her front door have been shattered.

Seven shot marks have been counted and Ms Hanna, a Belfast City councillor for 18 months, said police believe an air rifle and ball bearings were used in the attack.

Cllr Hanna, who lives in south Belfast, said she could “only presume” the attack is related to the current flag protests.

“I have never had any trouble before. We have lived here for over six years.

“I am a moderate person in my politics. I have never played into sectarian politics or used divisive language,” said Councillor Hanna, who is chair of East Belfast Police and Community Safety Partnership.

“There is no doubt in my mind that it’s related to the current tensions.

“It is a violation of our security. It’s our family home and we have always felt happy and safe here. It’s a violation to come home and find it has been attacked and we have very obviously been singled out.

“Our gut instinct was to leave and stay with family but we won’t be intimidated out.

“Attacks like this are designed to intimidate me but democratic decisions are made and we won’t be bullied into taking any course of action by people who attack representatives or attack young families, attack the police, attack businesses.”

The attack on Councillor Hanna comes after First Minister Peter Robinson branded protest-related violence a disgrace and said that the disorder could not be justified.

Mr Robinson said those behind the trouble were “playing into the hands” of dissident republicans.

Councillor Hanna’s party leader Alasdair McDonnell said unionist political leaders and those organising illegal protests “need to take full responsibility for this attack”.

“Claire Hanna works hard to build true reconciliation in our city,” he said.

“Those who attacked her home are showing contempt for democracy and her electoral mandate, and have put her young family in danger.”

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt condemned the attack, pointing out that Councillor Hanna had publicly condemned the decision by Newry and Mourne District Council to name a play park after former IRA hunger striker Raymond McCreesh.

“I join with others in condemning the actions of cowards in attacking the Hanna family home. It is another pointless act of violence, against a democrat,” he said.

Indeed, he condemned “all acts of violence and intimidation against police officers, elected representatives, other members of society, homes and property”.

“There is neither excuse nor justification for resorting to violence. The only way forward is through democracy.

“I would appeal to everyone to engage in the political process. I attended a very useful and positive meeting of community representatives in east Belfast this afternoon and one of the clear messages that I took away is that the Unionist Forum has the potential to offer a credible alternative to street protests.

“But it is up to the political leaders of unionism to make the case and prove it is a body that can both listen and deliver – and that means embracing all views within the broad unionist family.

“Unionism needs a strategy for moving forward and, in the first instance, that can only be arrived at by engagement between all members of the unionist community. Violence distracts from the real source of many of the problems, which are being created by parties such as Sinn Fein.”

South Belfast MLA Anna Lo described the attack as “appalling”.

“There is no justification for attacking the home of a hard-working elected representative.”

Homes, offices, and businesses of several Alliance members have been targeted since Belfast City councillors voted to limit the flying of the Union Flag at City Hall to designated days.

Bullets sent in post to Patsy McGlone, SDLP (BBC News Northern Ireland)

A letter intended for SDLP politician Patsy McGlone contained a bullet and a sympathy card, he has confirmed.

A package, containing his name and picture, was intercepted at the Royal Mail sorting office in Mallusk.

The Mid-Ulster assembly member said whoever sent the sinister threat were “faceless fascists”.

In recent weeks, a number of Northern Ireland politicians have received bullets in the post.

Mr McGlone said: “This is obviously not something that is a pleasant experience, for me or my family, however, those who sent it will not put me off doing my job, that is representing the people of Mid Ulster.

“I would like to pay tribute to the staff at the post office and the PSNI for their professionalism and vigilance in dealing with this matter.”

Continue reading the main story

“

Start Quote

The posting of a bullet to a newspaper, addressed to a named journalist, represents an attack on journalism and on democracy”

Barry McCall

NUJ

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said a letter containing a bullet had been addressed to a Belfast-based newspaper reporter.

The NUJ said it was intercepted by the PSNI and was sent following the journalist’s reporting of the loyalist rioting.

NUJ president Barry McCall said it was “a despicable attempt to intimidate journalists working in extremely difficult circumstances”.

“The posting of a bullet to a newspaper, addressed to a named journalist, represents an attack on journalism and on democracy,” he said.

“This incident must be seen in the context of recent attacks on journalists and elected public representatives and should be condemned by all who support the democratic process.”

Alliance MP Naomi Long, party leader David Ford and councillor Gerardine Mulvenna were among those sent bullets in the post in recent times.

Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly and Alex Maskey also received a letter containing bullets.