The following list of sectarian/race incidents and related issues is from 01 through 30 November 2000. We rely on a number of sources for our information, but this is by no means comprehensive. If you find incidents that have been left off the list please contact us.
Because of the extent of the ongoing loyalist feud, the PFC is keeping a log of incidents relating to it and is compiling a digest for readers (see previous updates on Loyalist Feud Incidents).
2 November, Thursday
Representatives of the Chinese community met with RUC chiefs in a bid to end the increasing number of attacks on members of their community. (IN)
4 November, Saturday
The Andersonstown News reported sectarian attacks on a Catholic taxi driver and Catholic Church in Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast. (AN)
The same paper also carried a report revealing that the wearing of shamrocks on St Patrick's Day by BBC staff is still optional. At the same time, a directive laid down by the corporation two years ago, making it compulsory for all presenters to wear the British Legion Poppy during the run up to 11 November (Remembrance Day) is still in force. (AN)
5 November, Monday
A Catholic man from Larne, who has been repeatedly targeted by loyalists, was hospitalised suffering from severe depression. In the most recent attack, in October, the man escaped uninjured in what is believed to have been a UDA/UFF booby trap bomb attempt on his life, while out collecting fish bait with a Protestant friend. His companion was injured in the attack. Three years previously the man, his partner and their child escaped without serious injury after a grenade exploded under their van. The man's uncle was murdered by the UDA/UFF seven years ago, also while collecting fish bait. (IN)
6 November, Tuesday
A Catholic family living in Banbridge received a death threat following an arson attempt on their house by loyalists. A caller, claiming to be from the LVF, told the family they would not survive the next attack. The same family were 'put out' of their home three years previously. There are an increasing number of reports of sectarian attacks on Catholics in Banbridge. (IN, PFC)
10 November, Friday
A Catholic man was attacked as he drove through Dunmurry. The man, who had stopped at a level crossing, was surrounded by 15 loyalist youths wearing scarves over their faces who quizzed him about where he lived. They called him a 'fenian' before spitting in his face and attacking his car with bottles and glasses as he drove off. (IN)
Community workers from the New Haven Trust, working on an anti-graffiti project in Kilkeel, Co Down, were told by known loyalists that they would be shot if they continued removing loyalist graffiti. RUC officers told the Trust that, in light of the threats, it would be safer for them not to continue. The far-right British National Party (BNP) and the LVF are known to have been operating in Kilkeel in recent months. A trust spokesperson said: quot;It is the overtly sectarian and racist remarks that cause most concern." (IN)
11 November, Saturday
Catholics in Dunmurry asked the Chief Electoral Officer to relocate the area's polling station away from a local hall, where there are loyalist flags flying, to a more neutral venue. (AN)
In Dunmurry in the last number of weeks, loyalists have carried out at least 37 attacks, including ones against Catholic schoolchildren, Catholic taxi drivers, a Catholic Church, and a Catholic-owned business. One man, who has been subjected to continued attacks when driving to work and has had his windscreen smashed, said that even an escort provided by the RUC did not prevent his car being attacked by loyalists. Local sources say they believe there is a concerted effort to force Catholics out of the area. (AN, IN, Daily Star, BBC)
Garvaghy Road Residents spokesperson Breandán MacCionnaith was injured, and a friend of his died from a heart attack, when the group they were with was attacked by loyalists who recognised them while staying at a hotel in Bray, County Wicklow, in the Republic of Ireland. (IoS)
18 November, Saturday
Loyalists attacked an annual GAA dinner dance at the Tullyglass Hotel in Ballymena. Windows were smashed but no one was injured. (IN, RUC)
21 November, Tuesday
Stephen Irwin, the UDA/UFF gunman jailed for life for his part in the infamous "trick or treat" massacre in Greysteel in October 1993, is believed by security sources to have joined the British neo-nazi group Combat 18. Irwin, who was befriended by British fascists while serving time in Long Kesh, was released on licence under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. He was filmed by the Metropolitan Police giving a Nazi salute at The Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday (12 Nov). Nationalists in Derry have called for his early-release licence to be revoked. Loyalist sources deny he has neo-nazi links. (IN, Obs)
In Portadown 150 Loyalists, some covering their faces with balaclavas and scarves, marched from the town centre through the Craigwell and Corcrain Bridge area - just yards from Catholic homes - shouting as they passed. The Orangemen, who had gathered on Drumcree hill, vowed to continue their protests. The move came ahead of the publication of a report on the state of progress in negotiations brokered between Orangemen and nationalist residents by South African human rights lawyer Brian Currin. (IN)
22 November, Wednesday
SDLP Councillor Danny O'Connor presented Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen with a dossier detailing ongoing sectarian attacks by loyalists on the Catholic minority in Larne, Co Antrim. Details of the 150 plus attacks are not yet in the public domain because of fears that the victims may be identifiable. The PFC knows of other areas in the north of Ireland where nationalists do not want to draw attention to the ongoing problem of attacks for fear of exacerbating the situation. Four families forced to flee their Larne homes during the latest spate of attacks told the Irish News that the RUC had failed to provide adequate protection. (PFC, IN, CW, BBC)
24 November, Friday
Craigavon UUP councillor Fred Crowe said that he had received several death threats from loyalists for having invited Tom McDermott, one of the stars of Channel 4's TV show Big Brother, to switch on the Christmas lights in Lurgan and Portadown. The threats referred to the fact that McDermott, a Catholic, had worn a GAA shirt in the show. (IN)
The Department of Education released funding for 'high security' measures at two Catholic Schools in the predominantly Unionist village of Newbuildings, outside Derry, in the hope of foiling future sectarian attacks. Both schools have come under attack in recent months. (IN)
25 November, Saturday
A pipe bomb was defused after it had been left at a side entrance to the Catholic-owned Castle Bar in Coleraine. (IN)
27 November, Monday
An Orange Hall in Ballyronan was damaged in an arson attack. Intruders forced open a rear door some time after 7.30pm and started a fire in a store. (RUC)
28 November, Tuesday
Bogside Residents' Group spokesperson Donncha MacNiallais announced that they (BRG) would not be opposing the Apprentice Boys annual Lundy's Day parade through Derry City Centre on 2 December. The move came after negotiations between residents and Apprentice Boys had resulted in the march being brought forward again and assurances that there would be no paramilitary bands and that shoppers would not be assaulted. (IN)
29 November, Wednesday
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has issued judicial proceedings on behalf of Lurgan Celtic against the Unionist-dominated Irish Football [soccer] Association. Lurgan Celtic has applied five seasons in a row to gain senior status but has been turned down on each occasion. Another Catholic team, Donegal Celtic, from Belfast, has been turned down eleven times. (IN)
Sources:
AN: Andersonstown News.
BBC: BBC radio and television news, BBC online, Radio Foyle.
CW: Local community workers.
IN: Irish News.
IOS: Ireland on Sunday.
Obs Observer
PFC: Pat Finucane Centre.
RUC: RUC website.