A man who organised a rally against racism in west Belfast had his car smashed up hours later.
The Beechmount rally was in response to an attack on a family home in the area, with the word ‘local’ daubed on the house and paint thrown over the wall.
Sean Doherty, one of the founding members of the Beechmount Residents Collective (BRC), told the Irish News he has been a victim of a “campaign of intimidation” with the latest attack taking place as residents rallied together on Wednesday to stand against fear and intimidation.
“At around 4pm Wednesday, an individual threatened my life as I was walking down the street. It did sort of put me off in a way, like why was this happening now, but there has been an ongoing campaign of intimidation.
“Then later that night after a successful community rally bringing people together as a collective to stand against intimidation and fear, I was attacked.
“At around 3am I woke up to two loud bangs and discovered this masked individual all dressed in black smashing the last back window of my family car, which we only got back not too long ago. Every window was done in and the insurance won’t fix it.
“It’s put a lot of pressure on my family, we’re already living in the mouth of poverty and it’s wrong on all levels.”
Mr Doherty said it is the latest in a series of intimidation attempts to stop his community work, and while it is disheartening for him and his family, he will not stop serving the community.
“My community work won’t stop. I’m here to work for everybody,” he said.
“The community response has been brilliant. My work is sort of coming back to me in a way because there has been serious support and there are people who really look at us as a beacon in this area.
“Even with this happening I’m not angry. It’s just blatant intimidation and it won’t work. What I would like to see is for those responsible to take some common sense into them and in the future maybe we can work together.
“All I’m calling for is for those responsible to leave me alone and if there is a wise head there, talk some sense into these people.”
Condemning the “senseless act” People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said people deserve to “live in peace and safety” in their own homes.
“Sean does important and valuable work in the local community, including this week’s anti-racist rally at Beechmount Street,” he said.
“I condemn this senseless act of intimidation and violence.
“The people of west Belfast deserve to live in peace and safety.”
Police are investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses or those with video footage that could assist in the investigation to come forward.
