Dunmurry Church damaged in arson attack

St. Coleman's Church in Dunmurry has suffered scorch damage in an overnight arson attack.

At around midnight on Wednesday, a blaze was found in a porch at the rear of the catholic church. Double doors in the porch were badly scorched in the attack, which also caused slight damage to the adjacent wall.

It is understood that police discovered a petrol container near to the porch.

SDLP assembly member for the area Patricia Lewsley condemned the attack, the second on the catholic community in the area within a week.

She said: "This is a very mixed area and I know that the majority of protestant residents who live here would condemn this vicious sectarian assault and stress that the perpetrators are not acting on their behalf.

"Last night's arson attack caused only slight physical damage, but along with a similar incident at Rathmore school earlier in the week, such assaults are creating great stress and heightening fears of catholics in the community."

Rathmore School was damaged earlier this week in an arson attack.

Police have appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to contact detectives at Lisburn.

(SP)