ATTACKS on a Castlewellan family home in recent days are being treated as hate incidents.
Last week, eggs were thrown at the local house, reportedly from a moving car, and it was again targeted on Sunday evening.
Slieve Croob Alliance councillor Helena Young, who has visited the family, said that “there is no place in our society for racism or prejudice”.
“I was extremely disappointed to learn that a family home had been attacked last week,” she stated.
“Eggs had been thrown from a moving car at this home.
“This incident has caused the family great distress and was reported to the PSNI.
“I visited the family, and they are very concerned that their home has been targeted – they just want to live in peace among their neighbours.
“Unfortunately, this incident was not an isolated one, and I was horrified to hear that this family’s home was targeted again on Sunday evening.
“The PSNI were informed, and they have been recorded as hate incidents.”
Cllr Young added that “these actions were not perpetrated by young children”, given that “a car has been driven past this home and this particular house has been targeted”.
“There is no place in our society for racism or prejudice, and I know the people of Castlewellan would be disgusted with this behaviour,” she said.
“I would like to commend our council’s Ethnic Minority Support Service and our inclusion officer who have been supporting this family over the last number of months and, in particular, over the last week.”
The local representative called on those responsible to “desist from this behaviour” and urged them to “think about the possible consequences of committing a crime”.
“It wasn’t so long ago that we were on the streets protesting against racism, and I know that the people in Castlewellan would not tolerate such behaviour,” she concluded.
“At the heart of this is a young family, and it is despicable that they are living in fear.
“If anyone has any information regarding these attacks, you can call the PSNI on 101 or use the anonymous Crimestoppers number, 0800 555 111.”