SF office in Belfast vandalised

A Sinn Féin constituency office in Belfast has become the latest target in a series of attacks on party property blamed on hard…

A Sinn Féin constituency office in Belfast has become the latest target in a series of attacks on party property blamed on hard-line republicans.

Paint bombs were thrown at the Connolly Street constituency office on the Andersonstown Road overnight and a memorial to IRA members smashed.

It is the third time the premises has been vandalised in two weeks and comes on the back of a weekend arson attack on a party office in Derry.

As well as the direct attacks on property, there has been an increase in anti-Sinn Féin graffiti in nationalist areas since the last month's dissident republican murders of two soldiers and a policeman.

Dissidents have also been blamed for a series of security alerts throughout Northern Ireland in the last month.

The Connolly Street office is used by Assembly members Paul Maskey and Sue Ramsey.

"This attack is the third in a very short period but it will not detract Sinn Fein from our work," said Mr Maskey.

'It comes after an upsurge in anti-republican graffiti throughout parts of west Belfast.

'The attack on the Connolly House advice centre and, in particular, the desecration of the (IRA) Roll of Honour isn't just an attack on Sinn Féin but an attack on our community.

"The people of west Belfast overwhelmingly support our political project, they have made that clear at elections but it was also made very clear when thousands upon thousands lined the Falls Road at this year's Easter Parade.

"I have no doubt that this latest attack will only serve as another clear reminder, if one were needed, that those responsible are not republican and offer our community nothing for the future.

"Sinn Féin has come under attack in the past and we will not be deterred from our republican work."

PA