Alliance Newtownabbey Councillors Billy Webb and John Blair have condemned an attack on St Mary’s Catholic Church on the Shore Road in Newtownabbey. It is believed that a petrol bomb was thrown at the building. A paint bomb may also have been thrown.
Cllr John Blair said: “This latest attack is a worrying development in the wake of the distribution of leaflets calling for protests at the Cemetery Sunday Service in Newtownabbey. Whilst I, like others, am relieved that a series of discussions managed to avoid the ugly, sectarian scenes witnessed in the past, the events of this weekend show the absolute need for responsible actions at all times.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the local PSNI for their efforts in ensuring that parishioners could enjoy their Sunday worship despite the need for follow up forensic work. I would urge anybody with any information about this attack to assist the police in their efforts to catch those who seek to blight good community relations with random acts of hatred.”
ENDS