This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8120262.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Race attack families due to leave 'Sad day' as families fly from NI
(about 5 hours later)
More than 70 members of the Roma community who fled their homes in Belfast after racist attacks are due to travel back to Romania on Friday.More than 70 members of the Roma community who fled their homes in Belfast after racist attacks are due to travel back to Romania on Friday.
About 25 people, mainly women and children, have already left despite attempts to persuade them to stay.About 25 people, mainly women and children, have already left despite attempts to persuade them to stay.
Emergency funds provided by the Housing Executive are being used to pay for their flights.Emergency funds provided by the Housing Executive are being used to pay for their flights.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said it was a "sad day" for Northern Ireland.
"It is a symbol of the sectarianism that still divides us and it is a marker that the only way forward is a shared future," he said.
"I am very disappointed that all but two of the Romanians have chosen to leave."
She said she was looking at how her department could help in countering racist attitudes in the community.
"My thoughts are very much with the Romanians as they leave Northern Ireland today," she added.
"My drive is building the shared future that they and other migrant workers can live securely and happily in."
Earlier this week, the police said they did not know enough about the concerns of the families who fled.Earlier this week, the police said they did not know enough about the concerns of the families who fled.
Police do not believe paramilitaries were involved in last week's attacks, which were condemned by all political parties.Police do not believe paramilitaries were involved in last week's attacks, which were condemned by all political parties.
Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said on Wednesday: "We didn't, probably, know enough about the Romanian community.
"We didn't have the ability to, perhaps, reach in and understand what was going on in their lives and what their fears and apprehensions were, and perhaps we came to that slightly late."
Barbara Muldoon of Anti-Racism Network accused the police of being slow to act.Barbara Muldoon of Anti-Racism Network accused the police of being slow to act.