Anti-migrant and sectarian graffiti sprayed on four recently built houses close to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry is just “totally unacceptable”, the city’s deputy mayor said.
The houses on Church Brae, on the outskirts of the city and close to the Tullyally estate, were targeted over the weekend, with ‘no taigs’, ‘no scum’, ‘no migrant’ and ‘enter at own risk’ sprayed on the walls.
Viewers were due to visit the properties on Monday, Derry City and Strabane Deputy Mayor Darren Guy said.
“The spraying of sectarian and racist graffiti on four new private builds about to receive viewers is just totally unacceptable,” said Councillor Guy, an Ulster Unionist representative and community worker in the area.
The increase in racially-motivated incidents is a “scourge across Northern Ireland”, with attacks on people’s homes and businesses, Mr Guy said. He cited the example also of nearby Ballykelly where ‘Irish only’ was sprayed on a home of an elderly woman living in the village and other properties.
Many of those originally from different countries and living in the area work in the health service, including quite a number at Altnagelvin, he said.
Mr Guy noted that a recent community clean up on Bonds Street in the Waterside area of the city involved people from different ethnic backgrounds. They want to be involved in bettering the community, he said.
The councillor also said discussions among different representatives and groups were able to stop anti-migrant gatherings that were seen in other areas of the north and in Britain last month.
Sinn Féin Councillor Christopher Jackson said he was “absolutely appalled that racist and sectarian graffiti has been sprayed on new homes in the Church Brae area of the city”.
“This is the latest vile and hate-driven attempt to intimidate people and families from living in brand new homes,” Councillor Jackson said.
“There is an onus on all political and community leaders to stand united in calling out racist and sectarian intimidation.
“Anyone with information on those behind these deplorable displays of hate should bring it forward to the PSNI.”
