Dissidents show absolute disregard for Ardoyne community

July 14, 2010

Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast Carál Ní Chuilín has stated that Dissident Republicans have shown absolute disregard for the safety and wellbeing of the people of Ardoyne. Speaking after an explosive device was found in Highbury Gardens in Ardoyne today Ms Ní Chuilín said:

“Over the past nights dissident republicans have used anti-social elements made up of groups of young people as cover for attacks in Ardoyne, the New Lodge and Broadway. This is despite appeals from local residents for no violence.

“The rioting has caused damage, distress and disruption to these communities. We have seen residents held hostage as their cars are taken and burnt, their garden walls pulled apart for bricks and major disruption to their free movement in and out of their own community.

“The latest incident is the abandoning of an explosive device in Highbury Gardens in Ardoyne. This is the summer holidays, many children are off school and could have found this device. The repercussions do not bear thinking about.

“Last year it was the dissidents who abandoned guns in Ardoyne which were found by local children.

“There is an issue certainly of the Orange Order marching through nationalist areas of Ardoyne, Moutainview and the Dales but can those who represent these dissident groups tell me if this is worth the destruction of Ardoyne and the endangering of its residents?

“The residents are certainly opposed to these marches but they are informing me that they are equally opposed to these actions.”

More disruption to nationalist communities by dissidents - McCann

July 15, 2010

Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast Jennifer McCann has slammed the hijacking of a car in the Twinbrook area which is now at the centre of a security alert in the area stating that the local community has had enough of dissident activity.

Speaking today Ms McCann said:

“Once again a nationalist district has suffered major disruption due to dissident activity. People in Twinbrook have had their daily routines disrupted and families have had to leave their homes due to this alert.

“Following several nights where cars have been hijacked and peoples property destroyed in rioting by anti-social elements being steered by dissidents, these groups need to realise that nationalist communities across Belfast have had enough.

“We have seen peoples cars taken from their homes and destroyed, doors kicked in at Broadway and Ardoyne to get these cars, and families held hostage. Now this car has been taken from its owner at Laurel Glen.

“All of this emanates from groups who set themselves up as republicans who are supposedly “protecting and representing” these communities.

“Those who have carried out these acts need to realise that this community does not want this disruption nor does it want these groups operating in this area or carrying out such actions in their name.”

Anderson slams ‘unnecessary' legal charges for adoption

July 15, 2010

Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson has warned couples hoping to adopt a child to be wary of hefty legal fees which they don’t need to pay.

“I have been contacted by a local couple who are currently going through the adoption process and went to their solicitor for assistance,” Ms. Anderson said.

“The solicitor was charging them almost £2000 to process their adoption application and the couple were obviously prepared to pay whatever it took in order to realise their dream of adopting a child.

“However, before paying, they contacted Social Services who informed them that there was absolutely no need to employ a solicitor and that their application could be processed by Social Services for a set fee of just £100.

“I would like to commend this couple who contacted me in order to make others aware of this situation. They don’t want anyone else to have to pay large legal fees for adopting a child when there is absolutely no need to do so.

“Adoption is obviously a very personal and emotional decision and I believe the process should be made as straightforward as possible for any couple seeking to adopt and unnecessary legal fees should have no part whatsoever in this process.” ENDS