Northern Ireland continues to see sectarian attacks

Sectarian attacks in Northern Ireland were showing no sign of abating by the end of August, despite a recent declaration by the Irish Republican Army that if will lay down its arms, according to both Catholic and Protestant communities reporting attacks.

The leader of the (Anglican) Church of Ireland, Archbishop Robin Eames, said in a statement August 29 that there was "no justification or excuse" for the daily attacks.

"Innocent people and families are facing danger to their lives simply because of their religion or political identity," he said. "Protestants and Roman Catholics must reject and condemn all attacks made under the guise of Loyalism [from the Protestant side] or republicanism [from the Catholic community]," he said.

One recent target was the Motte 'n' Bailey bar in Dunmurray, on the outskirts of Belfast in an area inhabited by Catholics. White paint was thrown across it in the early hours of August 24. The same night a car was set on the outside a house in the Somerdale Park area of the city while a petrol bomb, which failed to go off, was thrown at a house in Skegoneill Avenue. These attacks are believed to have been carried out by Protestant youths.