Family could leave after attack

Two petrol bombs were thrown at the house in Dundonald

A Filipino couple whose home on the outskirts of east Belfast was attacked by petrol bombers have said they are thinking of leaving Northern Ireland.

The couple and their child were in the house on Church Road in Dundonald when two devices were thrown at it at about 0345 GMT.

One device did not explode, while the other caused minor scorch damage.

The family's telephone line was cut before the attack took place. A racist note was also left behind.

A racial motive is being investigated for the attack in which no-one was injured.

Police want to speak to three people wearing hooded tops who were seen in the area at the time of the attack.

'Vicious'

Strangford MP, the DUP's Iris Robinson, condemned what she called the "vicious" attack.

"This was a mindless attack and had the potential to have fatal consequences for those residing in the house," she said.

"The decent people of Castlereagh borough will not condone this type of thuggish behaviour and I would call on the community to rally around the victims at this difficult and trying time."

Ulster Unionist assembly member David McNarry said the attack was despicable.

"This is a very sad reflection on society and not one that would be becoming of anyone at all in Dundonald and anywhere else.

"I hope that whoever was behind it will be caught and taken to court for it," Mr McNarry said.

Alliance councillor Michael Long asked those responsible what they thought the attack proved.

"People in Northern Ireland trying to make an honest living, no matter what their origin, deserve to be treated with respect as part of the community, not as outsiders deemed targets for hate-filled venom," he said.