A graffiti attack on a Catholic church in East Belfast has been
condemned by politicians across the political divide in Northern
Ireland.
The church, located in the Short Strand area of the city, was daubed
with sectarian graffiti following Glasgow Rangers defeat to Glasgow
Celtic in the Scottish Cup last week.
The historic Saint Mathew's church, which sits on the much maligned
interface between the mainly nationalist Short Strand and the mainly
Unionist Newtownards Road, was targeted in the aftermath of the
ill-tempered Scottish Cup replay.
Graffiti about Glasgow Celtic boss
Neil Lennon, who is a Lurgan born Catholic, was written in pink paint on
the church door, and lights at the front of the church were broken,
which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Speaking last week local Unionist and leader of the Progressive
Unionist Party Brian Ervine described the vandalism as
‘mindless’.
He said, “Football is for the football field, it should not
spill over onto our streets into thoughtless acts of thuggery.”
He added, “To show our support for the parishioners of Saint
Mathew's, the Progressive Unionist Party is donating £500 (€581) towards
the cost of rectifying the damage.”
Local MLA and the former Ulster Unionist Leader Sir Reg Empey also
condemned the attack.
He said, “Regardless of the events which took
place at the Celtic versus Rangers match this week, this type of
behaviour is completely unacceptable. It is unfortunate that once
again, sport is the victim of those who would use any vehicle to support
a sectarian agenda."
The SDLP's Seamus De Faoite described the attack as “sickening” and
claimed that it goes against all the cross community work that is being
done on the ground by community leaders.
The condemnation by Unionist leaders of the attack was praised by
Sinn Féin's Niall O'Donghaile who described their stance as “highly
commendable.”