The Bloody Sunday Trust has condemned the recent violence across parts of Belfast as ‘just an excuse for those who want to stoke racist division in Ireland’.
Trust Chair Tony Doherty said:
The attack on Monday night was horrific, and our thoughts go out to the victim and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts are also with those in the North Belfast community where this attack took place.
However, the reaction to this attack has been pure and simple racism. It is being used as an excuse by those who want to stoke racist division in Ireland.
Unfortunately we have seen more and more noise from the far right in Ireland in recent years, encouraged by far-right agitators from Britain and the USA, who want to see Irish people turn against their neighbours.
This must not be allowed to happen.
It is also a disgrace to see our national flag, a symbol intended to unite us, being claimed by those who stand against the very principles Ireland should embody. Ours is a country with a long history of its people crossing seas in search of safety, opportunity, and a better life. We know from our own experience why others make that same journey, and we should not forget it.
