Home of NI footballer’s mum petrol-bombed
A home in Rasharkin which was petrol-bombed on Sunday morning is owned by the mother of footballer Chris Baird, it is understood.
The attack, which took place in the early hours of Sunday, was the second time the Catholic family have been targeted this month.
No-one was injured when a car pulled up outside the house in the centre of the village and a missile was thrown at the window.
Significant scorch damage was caused to the property.
North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay has said the attack was “attempted murder”.
“This was a totally sectarian attack on an Catholic family and is the second time the house has been targeted in recent weeks,” Mr McKay said.
“The only reasons that this family has been singled out is because they are Catholic and are an easy target”.
DUP Ballymoney councillor John Finlay has also condemned the attack in Rasharkin as “both deplorable and unjustified”.
“I totally condemn this attack on an innocent family in the early hours of Sunday morning,” he said.
Later on Sunday evening a bullet was posted through the door of a Protestant household in the village with a message reading “Get out, Protestant scum”.
North Antrim SDLP MLA Declan O’Loan has called for action to reduce recent tensions in the area.
“There are profound tensions in the village of Rasharkin currently. Parade incidents, repeated attacks on the Orange Hall and a number of graffiti incidents are evidence of this,” Mr O’Loan said.
“It is vital that any information available is given to the police and that responsible community leaders work to resolve the causes of these tensions.”
Chris Baird, 28, plays for Fulham and the Northern Ireland international side.
He began his career with Ballymena United before joining Southampton. He made his Saints debut in 2003.
