West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Cush calls on dissident gangs to get off people's backs

Published: 31 March, 2009

West Belfast Sinn Féin councillor Maire Cush has called on those responsible for a number of bomb scares and hijackings across West and North Belfast on Monday and Tuesday to come forward and explain how these actions will in any shape or form advance a united Ireland.

Ms Cush said:

"The series of bomb scares and hijackings across North and West Belfast have caused serious disruption to people going home from work or trying to get on with their everyday lives.

"Those responsible have no strategy. These actions are wrong and counterproductive to anything that our community wants.

"All that those who have closed off our arterial routes are responsible for is causing disruption to these communities. This includes republican, nationalist and unionist communities but mainly, if you look at where these alerts are, it is republican communities that are being affected the most.

"I would like the spokespeople of those behind these alerts to come forward and explain how this will in any way achieve a united Ireland.

The Sinn Fein councillor went on to detail some of the incidents that took place on Monday.

''In North Belfast a Phoenix Gas van was hijacked and the young driver had his wallet stolen by the hijackers.

''Also in North Belfast, a man delivering pigeon feed had his van hijacked and money was stolen from him also.

''On the Springfield Road, a public service vehicle was hijacked and the driver had petrol poured over him by the hijackers who then threatened to set him alight.

''In Andersonstown, a lemonade van was hijacked and abandoned outside Cooper's Chemist and medical centre.

''In this incident, many elderly residents of nearby apartments had to be evacuated and were very disturbed at this.

''Vehicles were also abandoned at Woodbourne, North Queen Street and the top of Brompton Park, all beside interfaces.

''Interface workers, along with Sinn Fein and community leaders, worked hard in these areas to ensure that any trouble did not spread.

''The bus abandoned at Woodbourne was taken from the Ladybrook bus terminus by people claiming to represent the so-called ONH gang.

''At the top of the Suffolk Road, an Iceland van delivering groceries to local people was hijacked and partially burnt out by people who are known to have been involved in drug dealing.

''On the Stewartstown Road, paint bombs were taken off young people by republican activists.

''These young people were being wound up by elements in the CIRA and ONH gangs.

''A vehicle was also burnt out at the back of Colinvale.

''All of this begs the question - Whose hand is behind this? What is this all about?

''None of this will deter the republican project of working for a United Ireland.

''People do not want this.

''There is no support for this.

''These groups should disappear and get off the backs of this community.''