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The daubing of racist grafitti over the front of a house in Mourneview Park in Newry has been condemned by a local MLA.
Commenting on the incident Newry and Mourne MLA Liz Kimmins said “In the early hours of this morning, racist graffiti was daubed across a home in Newry. This is the second time in as many days that the property has been targeted with this abhorrent language.
“This is a repulsive and sinister attempt to intimidate families from moving into the area. There is no place in our community for these cowards and their thuggish actions."
* Newry City Councillor Charlie Casey also condemned those responsible. Casey said “This looks like an underhand attempt to influence the allocation of this vacant property This act is not reflective of the community of Newry and has no place in our society.
"I have spoken to the Housing executive about this and am scheduled to meet both the Housing Executive and the PCSP along with other elected reps in the coming days"
MLA Justin McNulty added “This disgraceful graffiti does not speak for the people of Newry or the people in this community. This blatant attempt to stop people from other areas moving into this property must be roundly condemned and cannot be allowed to intimidate people, wherever they’re from, out of moving into the area.
“This house should be allocated to those with the greatest need regardless of any other factor. We cannot allow a few cowardly faceless thugs to dictate who can live where. The days of no-go zones for any person are long behind us and we will not be going back.
“The only path to a shared future is through shared communities and we need to ensure that we see proper integration that reflects our society as a whole. I would urge the people behind this incident to cease this type of activity at once"
All the political representatives have asked anyone with information to contact the PSNI.
* Addition 5pm 20/1
