Racist attack in Armagh

Sinn Féin has blamed the UVF for a racist attack on a Portuguese family in Portadown, Co Armagh, on Saturday night.

Sinn Féin has blamed the UVF for a racist attack on a Portuguese family in Portadown, Co Armagh, on Saturday night.

At least one petrol bomb was thrown at the family's home, causing scorch damage to the front window and wall of the house. No one was injured.

Police, who have appealed for assistance in tracking down those responsible, said a tall, thin man wearing dark clothes was seen running from the scene after the attack at around 10.20 p.m.

This is the latest in a series of such racist incidents that are increasingly becoming a feature of life in Northern Ireland.

Portuguese families have been targeted several times in different parts of the North, where many of them are employed in local factories.

The homes of two Portuguese families living in Portadown were attacked in August while members of the Vietnamese and Filipino communities have also been targeted in the town.

Local Sinn Féin Assembly member Mr John O'Dowd said the attacks were part of a UVF campaign to force immigrant families to pay protection money to be allowed work in the area.

"The Portuguese community in Portadown are facing physical attacks on a weekly basis," said Mr O'Dowd. He said unionist politicians must use their influence to try to stop the attacks.

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Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times