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Man in 'tar and feather' attack | Man in 'tar and feather' attack |
(40 minutes later) | |
A man was subjected to a so-called 'tarring and feathering' attack in south Belfast on Sunday. | A man was subjected to a so-called 'tarring and feathering' attack in south Belfast on Sunday. |
It is thought the attack was carried out by two men wearing balaclavas as a crowd including women and children looked on. | It is thought the attack was carried out by two men wearing balaclavas as a crowd including women and children looked on. |
The victim was made to wear a placard reading 'I'm a drug dealing scum bag'. | The victim was made to wear a placard reading 'I'm a drug dealing scum bag'. |
Colin Halliday of the UPRG, the political wing of the UDA, speaking in the Belfast Telegraph, described the incident as "a community reaction". | Colin Halliday of the UPRG, the political wing of the UDA, speaking in the Belfast Telegraph, described the incident as "a community reaction". |
"It was not a UDA punishment attack," he said. | "It was not a UDA punishment attack," he said. |
"There was a lot of anger within the community as nobody wants a drug dealer in their midst. | "There was a lot of anger within the community as nobody wants a drug dealer in their midst. |
"There were people baying for blood but that's not the way things are done now." | "There were people baying for blood but that's not the way things are done now." |
Northern Ireland's Social Development Margaret Ritchie said that this type of incident had "no place in a civilised society". | |
Despite denials from the UPRG, most people will find it very hard to believe that the UDA was not involved in this despicable act David Ford | |
"If the UDA is involved it is a stark demonstration of the thuggery and violence which I made clear has to end if the funding to the CTI (Conflict Transformation Initiative) project is to continue," she continued. | |
Ms Ritchie's direct rule predecessor initiated the £1.2m scheme which aimed to encourage redevelopment in loyalist communities through the UDA aligned UPRG. | |
On 10 August, Ms Ritchie said she would withdraw support from the project unless there was clear evidence of decommissioning and reduced criminality. | |
Alliance leader David Ford said: "Despite denials from the UPRG, most people will find it very hard to believe that the UDA was not involved in this despicable act." | Alliance leader David Ford said: "Despite denials from the UPRG, most people will find it very hard to believe that the UDA was not involved in this despicable act." |
No trace | |
Although the police was made aware of the incident by the time officers arrived in the loyalist estate, neither the victim or his attackers could be found. | Although the police was made aware of the incident by the time officers arrived in the loyalist estate, neither the victim or his attackers could be found. |
"A report of an incident in Finwood Park, Taughmonagh, was received shortly after 10.10pm on Sunday evening," a spokesman said. | "A report of an incident in Finwood Park, Taughmonagh, was received shortly after 10.10pm on Sunday evening," a spokesman said. |