Family 'scared' after racist attack on new home

It happened at a block of flats on Roden Street off the Donegall Road on Thursday night

A woman and her daughter have been left badly shaken after the home they were due to move into in south Belfast was attacked and daubed in racist graffiti.

It happened at a block of flats on Roden Street off the Donegall Road on Thursday evening.

The family, who came to Northern Ireland in the past few years, were due to move into the property this weekend before their social housing provider contacted them to say it was not safe.

Mohamed Ahmed, from the Horn of Africa People's Aid Northern Ireland (HAPANI) said the family is "devastated".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they received a report on Friday of racially-motivated criminal damage.

They added that an investigation is ongoing to ensure "those responsible are held to account for their actions".

Mohamed Ahmed, from HAPANI, says the family are "devastated"

The family, who are now back in their previous accommodation, are being supported by HAPANI.

Mr Ahmed, the group's chairperson, says the family now feel very vulnerable.

"They're really worried. They're scared, and to be honest, it's not something they were expecting," he said.

"They were hoping to settle down and be part of the community and now they're devastated."

"I'm worried about their mental health, they don't speak any English at all, so the language barrier is a big problem as well. I think they're in a really bad place," he added.

'No place' for hate crimes

In recent years, there have been a number of racist attacks in south Belfast.

PSNI Supt Finola Dornan described the incident as "completely unacceptable", adding that it did not "reflect the local community and its people".

"The heartbreaking reality behind this headline is a young mother and her child who were looking forward to moving into a new home, a place where they should have felt both safe and welcome," she said.

"They have understandably been left badly shaken and distressed."

Supt Dornan emphasised that "hate crime has no place in our society".

"We will be proactive in our approach to ensure justice for victims," she said.

Suleiman Abdulahi, from HAPANI, says vulnerable families are the "scapegoat" for the housing crisis

Suleiman Abdulahi, the founder of HAPANI, believes the housing strategy in Northern Ireland needs to change so there is enough to cater for all those who need affordable housing.

"If there was no scarcity of resources or housing in Northern Ireland then we could accommodate everyone and those concerns can be stopped," he said.

"But whenever there is not enough houses and there's this housing crisis then the scapegoat is vulnerable families and it's happened multiple time."

There have been a number of racist attacks in south Belfast in recent years

Sinn Féin MLA for south Belfast, Deirdre Hargey described the graffiti as "sickening".

"The majority of people in south Belfast stand squarely against racism and the disgusting behaviours that come with it," she said.

"The racist thugs behind this attack must be brought to justice, and I would encourage anyone with information to bring it to the PSNI."

'Deeply unsettling'

Meanwhile, Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw said she's "absolutely appalled" by the attack.

"This has clearly been done in order to intimidate this young mother and her child," she said.

"The repeated hate-fuelled attacks we're witnessing are deeply unsettling for minority ethnic communities both in Belfast, and right across Northern Ireland. People deserve to live free from the threat of violence and free from fear of attack."

SDLP leader Claire Hanna described the attack as "ugly racism".

"This is a disgraceful act that has prevented a family from moving into their new home," she said.

"What should have been a moment of joy has turned into a horrible ordeal because of the ugly racism that has once again reared its head.

"Let me be clear – there is no place for racism in south Belfast or anywhere else in Northern Ireland."