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'40 flee' after World Cup riots '40 flee' after World Cup riots
(10 minutes later)
More than 40 foreign nationals have left their homes in Belfast following riots involving NI and Polish football fans, it has been claimed.More than 40 foreign nationals have left their homes in Belfast following riots involving NI and Polish football fans, it has been claimed.
The Polish Association Northern Ireland said people "were fearful".The Polish Association Northern Ireland said people "were fearful".
The trouble flared before, during and after a World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park last month. Eleven police officers were injured.The trouble flared before, during and after a World Cup qualifier at Windsor Park last month. Eleven police officers were injured.
However, Ulster Unionist councillor Bob Stoker said he believed the figure of 40 was "without evidence".However, Ulster Unionist councillor Bob Stoker said he believed the figure of 40 was "without evidence".
The Polish Association said a total 46 people have left the Village and Albertbridge Road areas of south and east Belfast.The Polish Association said a total 46 people have left the Village and Albertbridge Road areas of south and east Belfast.
It said that at least five people had decided to leave Northern Ireland permanently.It said that at least five people had decided to leave Northern Ireland permanently.
What these sorts of claims do is detract from the good work that is being done to build better relations Councillor Bob StokerWhat these sorts of claims do is detract from the good work that is being done to build better relations Councillor Bob Stoker
It has been claimed that Hungarians, Lithuanians and Slovakians, as well as Poles, have been targeted following the riots in a number of different parts of Belfast on Saturday 28 March.It has been claimed that Hungarians, Lithuanians and Slovakians, as well as Poles, have been targeted following the riots in a number of different parts of Belfast on Saturday 28 March.
"The people that have left their homes are mostly people with young children," said Maciek Bator of the Polish Association."The people that have left their homes are mostly people with young children," said Maciek Bator of the Polish Association.
"They said they had good relationships with their neighbours and people living in their streets but that they still felt it was best to leave before something might happen. Although Mr Bator said there had been intimidation in recent weeks, most people decided to leave of their own accord because they were scared.
"They said they had good relationships with their neighbours and people living in their streets but that they still felt it was best to leave before something might happen," he added.
"A lot of these people lived in private accommodation so wouldn't have dealt with the Housing Executive.""A lot of these people lived in private accommodation so wouldn't have dealt with the Housing Executive."
Rival fans threw bricks, bottles and traffic cones on their way to the gameRival fans threw bricks, bottles and traffic cones on their way to the game
Councillor Stoker said: "While I would obviously condemn attacks on people wherever they're from, I'm greatly concerned about people bandying figures like this about without any solid evidence.Councillor Stoker said: "While I would obviously condemn attacks on people wherever they're from, I'm greatly concerned about people bandying figures like this about without any solid evidence.
"What these sorts of claims do is detract from the good work that is being done to build better relations with people from eastern Europe."What these sorts of claims do is detract from the good work that is being done to build better relations with people from eastern Europe.
"And this is not only in recent weeks, but over the course of the last 18 months.""And this is not only in recent weeks, but over the course of the last 18 months."
A Housing Executive spokesman said eight people had "presented themselves as homeless" in south Belfast, citing "trouble in the Village as the reason".A Housing Executive spokesman said eight people had "presented themselves as homeless" in south Belfast, citing "trouble in the Village as the reason".
A police spokeswoman said patrols had been stepped up in parts of south and east Belfast in a bid to ease tensions.A police spokeswoman said patrols had been stepped up in parts of south and east Belfast in a bid to ease tensions.