Youths on roof 'not prosecuted'

Youths were pictured on the roof

The minister of an east Belfast church vandalised by youths has criticised a decision not to bring any prosecutions.

During the summer stained glass windows at St Donard's in the Bloomfield area were smashed and its roof was damaged.

Pictures of children on the roof were taken, but the Public Prosecution Service has written to the church saying there is not enough evidence.

The rector, Rev Charles McCartney, has said he intends to appeal their decision.

"If the prosecution service don't do this, then it sends a message to the young men involved that there's nothing the police can do," Rev McCartney.

"It says to the local people there's no point ringing the police, it also says to the police themselves 'what's the point in taking a case'.

"Really, we're back to square one and in a way Bloomfield has been told it's open season."

Firecrackers were also let off during services at the church during the summer.

At the time, both the minister and Church of Ireland bishop Harold Miller criticised the police for their response to the attacks.