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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Sad day' as families fly from NI | '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 travelled back to Romania on Friday. | |
| About 25 people, mainly women and children, had already left despite attempts to persuade them to stay. | |
| Emergency funds provided by the Housing Executive are being used to pay for the flights. | |
| Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said it was a "sad day" for Northern Ireland. | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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 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." | "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. |
| 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. |