A WAR of words has erupted between nationalist Assembly members in North Antrim after claims that Sinn Fein MLA Daithi McKay made remarks which "heightened tensions" and were "inaccurate and dangerous".
Speaking out about reports of sectarianism in the town Mr McKay said it was “only a matter of time until there is another sectarian murder in Ballymena”.
But SDLP MLA Declan O’Loan, who has severely criticised Mr McKay’s remarks, said: “I was appa
lled at this statement. As political representatives we have a heavy responsibility in what we say.
“No one in any area can rule out anything happening in the future, but there is a real danger of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. This kind of language is capable by itself of heightening tensions which may lead to incidents.”
Last night Mr McKay said his party were “very aware” of people who lived in Ballymena who were not able to leave their areas for fear of attack.
“I would be very unwilling for anybody to try to sweep sectarianism under the carpet or not deal with it,” he said.
“We need to tackle the issue of sectarianism head on. The attack last week on a young man on the Doury Road in Ballymena shows quite clearly sectarianism. The man was beaten up after a number of car loads of men beat him up. He could have been killed.
“There has been sterling work carried out by the civic community in Ballymena over recent years to combat sectarianism but there needs to be more political leadership – on all sides.
“From 2005 to 2007 there were 275 sectarian attacks in Ballymena and 294 people were informed by the PSNI that their lives were under threat.”
Mr O’Loan added that he is also “very concerned about serious violent incidents in Ballymena”.
“But it is an error to jump to the conclusion that these are sectarian. Some have a racial motive. Some involve individuals and groups known to each other and who have a much more complex relationship than one defined by religion.”
Yesterday police renewed their appeal over an assault in which a man suffered head and facial injuries at Doury Road in Ballymena around 10pm on May 7. They said a motive for the attack had not yet been established.
Two men arrested in connection with the incident have since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.
The full article contains 408 words and appears in News Letter newspaper.
