The Five Demands

Protest at bomber talk in east Belfast (UTV)

Four police officers were injured during minor trouble at a protest outside a community centre in east Belfast on Thursday evening, where one of the Brighton bombers was giving a talk.

It’s believed up to 100 people gathered outside the Skainos Centre the Newtownards Road, ahead of an event named ‘Listening to your Enemies’.

Taking part was Pat Magee, who was convicted of the 1985 IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton, and Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was one of five people killed in the blast at Tory Party conference.

A number of riot police were called in to keep the situation under control.

Police said a number of stones and fireworks were thrown at around 7.10pm.

Further missiles thrown between 8pm and 8.40pm and police lines came under fire.

“Four police officers received minor injuries that were treated at the scene while two police vehicles had their windows broken,” a spokesperson stated.

“The event has now ended and attendees have dispersed safely. A police enquiry has been initiated into this disorder.”

Mr Magee and Ms Berry left the Skainos centre in a police landrover when the event ended.

Police are maintaining a presence in the area.

Overnight sectarian graffiti was daubed on the building in protest.

Two men painted the words ‘No IRA bombers’ and other slogans in black across the windows of the Skainos Centre.

The graffiti was quickly removed from the building early on Thursday morning and the organisers pledged to go ahead with the talk.

Police said they are investigating the incident as a hate crime.

A spokesperson said: “It was reported that shortly after midnight two males painted sectarian graffiti on windows of the premises. The men made off in the direction of Derwent Street.

“Police are investigating this incident as a hate crime and would ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who has any information to contact them on 0845 600 8000.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir condemned the attack.

“We’re always distressed and depressed when a small minority engage in sectarian or racists attacks,” he said.

“But, the reality is that the vast majority of the people of Belfast believe in tolerance, believe in live and let live, and want no part in these attacks.”

Methodist minister Gary Mason, of the East Belfast Mission, said: “I totally condemn it. It was totally wrong to do this. This project, the East Belfast Mission/Skainos project, is serving the poor, the marginalised, the disenfranchised.

“And if that’s all these people have to offer society, I think they have to take a long hard look at their actions.”