Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SHAMEFUL & FUTILE7
Pig’s head left outside centre in sick attack
A COUNCILLOR has slammed those responsible for a racist attack in which a pig’s head was left outside a community centre.
DUP representative George Dorrian described the incident in East Belfast in the early hours of Saturday as a “shameful attack”.
Graffiti was also sprayed on the walls of Inverary Community Centre.
PSNI Inspector Ian Mccormick said: “At approximately 5am [on Saturday] it was reported to police graffiti had been daubed on the walls of a building and a pig’s head had been placed against the shutters.
“Hate crime, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable.
“It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure we live in a society where diversity is respected.
“If you or someone you know is the victim of a hate crime please contact police or your local support agency.” Mr Dorrian added: “I am angry and disappointed to find such damage caused to Inverary Community Centre overnight.
“With so much good going on the area, including the football coaching of hundreds of kids every week, it is disappointing to think there are still those who creep around in the middle of the night damaging property and attempting to stir hatred against those who have joined our community.
“Contrast this with the proud achievements being celebrated by the East Belfast community on Friday night, not half a mile away, which included a celebration of Slovakian children’s dancing. The reception they received showed the real face of East Belfast, not this futile and shameful act.
“I have asked the council to remove this as soon as possible and hopefully it won’t be repeated.
“If anyone has information on those responsible I would ask they contact the PSNI immediately.”
Police appealed to anyone who was in the Inverary Avenue area in the early hours of Saturday morning and noticed any suspicious activity to contact them in Strandtown on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 290 of 23/09/17.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
For advice on dealing with hate crimes visit www.psni.police.uk/crime/hatecrime/here-to-help/.