Outrage as burglars ransack arts hub just hours after TV filming

COMMUNITY leaders have hit out after intruders caused extensive damage to one of Belfast’s leading arts venues just hours after it hosted a major musical event.

The break-in at the Duncairn Centre on the Antrim Road happened on Sunday night shortly after the recording of the Other Voices music series, which is broadcast by RTE.

Director of the cultural centre Rev Bill Shaw discovered that the premises had been ransacked when he arrived at around 8am yesterday.

Police forensic officers were examining the scene as he spoke to the Belfast Telegraph.

“They broke in through the Manse office and trashed all the offices inside,” Rev Shaw said.

“They have smashed doors and windows. I have had an Apple Mac computer stolen but it is too early as yet to take an inventory of everything that has been taken.

“I arrived first thing this morning (Monday) to discover this.”

JJ Magee, a Sinn Fein councillor for the area, said residents had been disgusted by the incident.

“The local community has woken up to this shocking news of a break-in and significant act of vandalism at the centre,” he added.

“I attended the scene and I’ve spoken to Rev Bill Shaw and offered our support and that of the local community after this disgraceful attack.

“Those responsible for this act must be held to account for their actions. Damage after the break-in at Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts

“I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it to the police.”

Rev Shaw said the sight of RTE broadcast vans at the centre over the last few days may have attracted the burglars’ attention.

“Other Voices was filming here. We had people here from all parts of Ireland and the best artists around playing,” he said.

“We were on such a high and this is a punch in the guts. I have a real mixture of emotions at the minute.

“I am disgusted, disappointed and angry all at the same time.

“It was such a major coup for us to get Other Voices to come to Duncairn and it was all part of helping to dispel the myths that many people have about north Belfast.”

The Duncairn Arts and Cultural Centre opened at a cost of £3.5m in 2014 and has had a pos- itive impact on the area, which suffered badly with sectarian violence throughout the Troubles.

In recent years north Belfast has also been the focal point of unrest during the marching season.

Rev Shaw questioned whether those responsible for the breakin realised the impact of their actions.

“I just wish they could see the work we do within what is, after all, a not-for-profit organisation,” he said.

“We exist for the good of everyone within this community.

“We are in effect a community hub that caters for people with special needs and the marginalised — for between 1,600 and 1,700 people a week.

“Do they realise the impact this will have on the most vulnerable people in this community who depend on us?”