Cars outside catholic church attacked by stone throwers

A number of cars have been attacked with stones outside a catholic church in Ballymena at the weekend.

Bricks and stones were thrown at the cars, parked in the grounds of the church at Harryville, as the owners attended Mass on Saturday night.

North Antrim Sinn Féin Assembly member Philip McGuigan hit out at those behind the attack and called on local MP Ian Paisley to “make his voice heard on the matter”.

“A number of cars belonging to mass goers where damaged by unionists outside Harryville chapel on Saturday night,” Mr McGuigan said. “Unionist political leaders in this area including the local MP Ian Paisley have to make their voices heard and unequivocally condemn the harassment and attacks on the local Catholic population in Ballymena.

“In the past the DUP have often fallen silent when faced with unionist attacks on the small catholic population in Ballymena. This situation cannot be allowed to continue.”

Ballymena SDLP councillor Declan O'Loan said there had been some "inter-community" tension recently in the area.

"As we approach the summer season, everyone needs to be aware incidents can feed off each other," he said.

"It's very important that everyone who is well disposed towards the well being of this community should act in a very cautious and considerate fashion.”

(MB/SP)