Police probe 'sectarian leaflets'

Homes in the area reportedly received leaflets

Police in The Village area of south Belfast are investigating the origin of sectarian literature found there.

The anti-Catholic leaflets were reportedly delivered to homes in the Sandy Row and Donegall Road areas.

It is understood the leaflets call for Catholics to be put out of their homes.

The leaflets are thought to have been dropped through doors at the weekend calling on residents to attend a public meeting on Wednesday.

However, an Ulster Unionist councillor denied such a meeting was planned to take place in a local Orange Order hall.

The literature also focuses on a modern apartments complex in Sandy Row.

I don't think it is from any organisation or any group of people. I think this is coming from an individual who has access to a computer Bob Stoker Ulster Unionist councillor

SDLP councillor Pat McCarthy said he and Ulster Unionist councillor Bob Stoker had met local people, the police and the management committee of the apartments last year in an effort to resolve the situation.

"I think they (the residents of the apartments) feel there is some paramilitary involvement in this," said Mr McCarthy.

"After our meeting with the residents last year, it was agreed that the (sectarian) slogans... be painted out. When the workmen came to paint it out, the three of them were attacked and their van burnt.

"I don't think individuals were responsible for that - I believe there was some degree of paramilitary involvement.

'Vicious scourge'

"I passed the apartments this morning and written all over them are 'Nationalists Out', 'Republican Spies' and 'Sandy Row is Sandy Row'."

Mr Stoker said he had not seen the leaflet.

"I was in Sandy Row on Saturday night and I was there again yesterday and no-one is able to show me a copy of this leaflet. I would like to see it first of all," he said.

"I don't think it is from any organisation or any group of people. I think this is coming from an individual who has access to a computer - I would say they have very little support.

"They (the residents) do appreciate that it is not an orchestrated or organised campaign against them."

DUP assembly member Mark Robinson condemned those behind what he described as "yet another orchestrated hate campaign".

"It is obvious that those people, who are responsible for the composition and distribution of this sick material, are intent on increasing tensions within the area, and exploiting whatever weaknesses are caused as a result," he said.

"I would therefore call on the community as a whole to work together in order to defeat this vicious scourge of bigotry and prejudice which has reared its ugly head within our community".