Put it to the people – Gerry Kelly in challenge to Ardoyne dissidents
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has challenged dissident republicans to stand against him in an election, following claims he is out of touch with the people of Ardoyne after three nights of rioting in the area.
The North Belfast representative was speaking after he revealed a threat has been made against his life from a group assumed to be dissident republicans. A call was made to the Samaritans on Wednesday night warning that his life is in danger.
The latest threat comes after New Lodge Sinn Féin member and community worker Gerry O’Reilly’s home was petrol bombed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Gerry Kelly said the threats made against them will not deter them from their work.
“I was told in the early hours of this morning that a threat has been made against my life. Put this on the back of the fact that a local Sinn Féin activist and community worker’s home was petrol bombed and this is very sinister. It won’t deter us from working for the people of North Belfast,” he said.
Mr Kelly has publicly blamed micro republican groups for orchestrating the violence that erupted after Monday’s Orange Order parade.
He also pointed to the Real IRA for leading the violence that led to 12 people being hit by plastic bullets and nine police officers injured.
The Stormont junior minister called on the dissident groups who say the party is not in touch with the feeling within Ardoyne to put themselves forward for election if they feel they have a better alternative.
Republican Network for Unity spokesman Ronan Moyne said Kelly was “out of touch” with the people of Ardoyne.
Last night (Wednesday) saw a further night of trouble at Brompton Park as around 100 youths gathered to throw stones, glass bottles and petrol bombs at police. A car was also set alight in the Balholm area. Violence also erupted in Ligoniel.
Two men aged 17 and 18 were arrested. A second man aged 30 was also arrested in the early hours of this morning in relation to a shot being fired at police officers during the riot
The arrest comes after 28-year old Aidan Ferguson from Cranbrook Gardens was arrested in relation to the same incident. Around 50 of his supporters held a protest outside Antrim Road police station last night in opposition to his arrest.
Meanwhile New Lodge community worker and Sinn Féin activist Gerry O’Reilly has blamed dissident republicans for a petrol bomb attack on his home in the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday).
Mr O’Reilly was at home with his famiy when the front of his Spamount Street home was attacked with a petrol bomb. No one was hurt in the incident however Mr O’Reilly said it is lucky no one was killed. He blamed the attack on a “small core” of dissidents within the New Lodge area.
“It’s a disgrace that a small core of people who reside in the New Lodge felt it necessary to attack people’s homes with the intent of endangering their lives,” he said. “I want the people who attacked my home to know that this behaviour won’t work. They are faceless people with no mandate and no support. They need to sit down with the people and say what they have to say rather than attacking homes and putting lives at risk.”
