Local DUP Councillor John Finlay has condemned the actions of nationalists in the town of Rasharkin this afternoon as they shouted abuse outside the house of a member of Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors Flute Band who lives in the town. Local nationalists shouted "get out you black bastard" while he was inside. The incident has been reported to the PSNI.
An elderly man was also attacked as he drove through the town. Stones were thrown at his car as he left his house. He was shaken but not seriously injured. Neither individuals wish to be publicly identified for fear of further attacks.
These incidents come after John Finlay himself was targeted by republicans in the town in the early hours of this morning as locals attacked his car. The Orangehall was also attacked with petrol bombs. Tensions have been high in the area for sometime now, but last nights band parade sparked off this latest run of attacks. John has said that Protestants in the town are under siege.
John Finlay said:
“I condemn these attacks both of which are sick and disgraceful. It highlights further the level of intimidation faced by Protestants in the town from nationalists and republicans. Sinn Fein have a lot of questions to answer as to their role in Rasharkin in raising tensions. This is a Party that is supposed to seek equality for all. This is not the case in Rasharkin.
I as a representative of Rasharkin and resident of the area will not be moved, bullied or pushed around by scum like those who attacked me or either of the two men this afternoon. I am here to represent the Protestant people of the town, a job I was elected to do. I am also here for anyone opposed to what is going on in Rasharkin and that is the ethnic cleansing and blatent intimidation of Protestants.
Daithi McKay says that this situation has been caused by the bands parade last night. This is nonsense. He knows fine well who has caused it and indeed he himself is not helping the situation. He as an MLA should be much more mature and measured in his response and approach to the situation. Republicans are behaving like children and playing with fire.
I would call for anyone with information in relation to the two incidents to contact the police and furthermore I would call for no retaliation. I would also call for an end to such attacks and the general intimidation going on in the area.
Protestants in the town are under siege and these attacks will not stop until republicans get what they want, and that is driving all Protestants out of the town.” said the local DUP councillor.
