BELFAST'S Lord Mayor has been forced to flee an official engagement after being mobbed by loyalists.
Sinn Fein's Mairtin O Muilleoir, 53, required a police escort to evade angry protesters at the re-opening of a park in the staunchly unionist Woodvale area in the north of the city.
The high-profile businessman and city councillor claimed he was kicked and punched during the altercation.
Police said nine of their officers were injured during the incident, although none required hospital treatment.
O Muilleoir did go to hospital after the incident, where he was treated for bruising and given pain relief medication, but later resumed his official duties.
Community tensions are high in Woodvale after a summer that has already seen serious loyalist rioting over a decision to prevent Orangemen parading past the nearby nationalist Ardoyne area.
Loyalists have accused Sinn Fein of waging a cultural war against their community.
O Muilleoir accused the protesters of "hijacking" a community event, insisting they were a "small minority" that did not represent the people in the Woodvale/Shankill area.
"When the lord mayor gets invites there must be no 'no go' areas in Belfast," he said.
"I want to be mayor for all the people.
"We just have to keep going building a peace and not be dragged back. I do not think what happened is representative of the people of the Shankill.
"My message for the people who kicked and punched me is: I will not be giving in to violence, or giving in to yesterday's men."
O Muilleoir was heckled as he arrived at the event, which was subsequently cut short.
The main trouble flared as he left the venue.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Belfast mayor jostled by loyalist mob
Dengan url
http://kucinginet.blogspot.com/2013/08/belfast-mayor-jostled-by-loyalist-mob.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Belfast mayor jostled by loyalist mob
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Belfast mayor jostled by loyalist mob
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar