Three Remanded Over Antrim Assault

Sectarianism is back in focus with three men charged with the attempted murder of a teenager in Antrim on Friday in court today (Monday).

Nathan Wilson, 20, of Birch Hill Meadows, Colin Kingsberry, 23, from Carntall Gardens and Kyle Green, 23, from Kilgreel Road were all remanded in custody.

A detective constable told the Coleraine court there were three witnesses to the attack and said that in police interviews each of the accused gave a different version of events.

The charges are relating to a serious assault on a 17-year-old in Station Road that the police believe had a sectarian motive.

The Catholic youth who was attacked is in a stable condition in hospital and was initially taken to Antrim Area Hospital, but was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Sinn Fein has named him as Jordan Duffy - a member of St. Comgalls GAC - and also said that he was the victim of an apparently random sectarian attack on Friday 5th August.

Sinn Fein said Jordan was accompanied by two friends as they made their way along Station Road when they were challenged by a group of youths who asked where they were coming from and when named a local bar, they were immediately identified as Catholics and attacked, the Sinn Fein statement claimed.

Jordan suffered a vicious beating with Sinn Fein Antrim Town Councillor Noel Maguire saying: "This was a brutal sectarian attack which has left an innocent young Catholic seriously ill in hospital.

"There must be clear unequivocal condemnation of this vicious assault from all political representatives and community leaders, and there must be no hiding place for the thugs responsible.

"In the meantime I am appealing for calm - any retaliation will only add to the pain which Jordan and his family are now suffering, and place other innocent people at risk.

"People should cooperate fully with the PSNI to have this gang of bigots brought before the courts and made to pay for this sickening attack."

Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly has also condemned the assault after visiting the home of the victim's grandmother on Friday evening to offer his support to the family.

Cllr Neil Kelly said: "Sickening incidents like this have absolutely no place in our society. The people of this town are appalled at this and all public representatives have a duty to work together to help ensure incidents like this do not happen.

"It is extremely sad to think that the person who was attacked was due to made his debut for his local GAA club this evening, but instead he remains seriously injured in hospital.

"Those behind this attack must be brought to justice and anyone who can assist police with their investigation into it should contact them immediately," he said.

Antrim Town SDLP Group Leader, Grainne Teggart, has asked for an emergency meeting between political representatives, PSNI and others to tackle sectarianism in Antrim once and for all.

"I have contacted the mayor and group leaders on the council calling for us to come together next week and put in place a plan for measures to address issues of sectarianism in Antrim.

"There is no quick fix solution but it's vital that we, as elected representatives and political leaders show real leadership on this issue.

"People are calling for the attack on Jordan to mark the end of sectarian violence in our community. Enough is enough. It is time we got our act together.

"We know what the problem is and while we have some excellent on-the-ground initiatives trying to do just that, we need to support and develop more effective ways of stamping out sectarianism for good.

"Hate crime needs to be tackled on many levels and we need to change our approach. We need get to grips with this issue once and for all and ensure Antrim in is the headlines for the right reasons in future," she said.

Belfast

Elsewhere, the NI Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has condemned sectarian attacks on Protestant occupied homes at east Belfast interfaces.

The DUP Minister visited the area last week and was able to see for himself the problems residents living across the interfaces have had to endure in terms of repeated attacks on their property.

Minister McCausland said: "I unreservedly condemn these attacks and praise the efforts of those in the community working to resolve the issue and reduce tensions. I have arranged for a senior official in my Department to convene a meeting with residents, elected representatives and all social landlords to identify what more can be done to protect homes along this interface."

He also said that the Habinteg Housing Association has ordered a clean up of their particular scheme at this location and has agreed to explore various options in respect of representations made to them by elected representatives about the need for better roofing.

(BMcC/GK)