Romanians Flee As Police Make Arrests

Scores of Romanian families are preparing to leave the Province following a sustained campaign of racial intimidation.

According to NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, 25 people have already left, with 75 more in the process of moving. Ms Ritchie said the flights will be paid for out of Housing Executive emergency funds.

Only 14 people have decided to remain in Northern Ireland.

The news comes after police arrested three men in relation an overnight attack on the church which provided refuge to immigrant victims.

City Church in Belfast's University area was pelted with stones last night, breaking several windows.

A 21-year-old man was earlier remanded in custody in connection with intimidation of foreign nationals in south Belfast.

Shane Murphy, of Donegall Road in the city, appearing at Belfast Magistrates Court, denied the charge.

Mr Murphy also denied a further charge of acting provocatively. He is accused of shouting racist comments at a rally held by the local community on the Lisburn Road last week.

A judge refused bail on the ground Mr Murphy could interfere with witnesses.

Two boys were charged with similar offences yesterday.

Over 100 Romanians sought protection within the walls of the City Church while temporary accommodation was found.

Pastor Malcolm Morgan arrived at the hall this morning to find it covered in shattered glass.

"I arrived this morning to find windows smashed at the front of our church and our main glass doorway smashed as well," he said.

"Stones were lying scattered on the floor inside and outside and obviously broken glass was everywhere."

The pastor said it was easy to establish the incident had been carried out by individuals who did not approve of the church's response to the displaced families' plight.

"We were just so thrilled that we were able to respond to the Romanian situation and these broken windows wouldn't have stopped us anyway."

Minister Ritchie was incensed by the vandalism, branding those behind the attack "mindless thugs".

She said she was not shocked by the "saddening" incident.

"The action of these mindless thugs greatly contrasts with the outpouring of warmth and generosity demonstrated by the people of Belfast toward the plight of the Romanians," said the Minister.

"This church community was the first to extend the hand of friendship and that makes it doubly disgraceful that it should be attacked."

The Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and te Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have also described last nights attack on the City Church as an act of pure vandalism.

Mr McGuinness said: "There is no place for attacks on churches, attacks on ethnic minorities or attacks on vulnerable communities. An attack on any section of our community is an attack on all of us. There is a need for us all to stand united not only in words of condemnation, but also in our actions."

Mr Robinson said: "Recent events here have damaged the image and reputation of Northern Ireland throughout the world. I would call on every right thinking person to condemn these attacks and to show the world that they are supported only by a minority of small minded thugs," he said.

The PSNI has ruled out the involvement of loyalist paramilitaries in the racist incidents, which have had a neo Nazi theme, including the use of Combat 18 slogans.

(PR/JM)