Unionists Attempt To Murder Sinn Féin Councillor
Published: 9 August, 2005
The home of Banbridge Sinn Féin Councillor Dessie Ward was last night attacked with a petrol bomb shortly after midnight. Cllr. Ward, his mother and younger brother were in the house at the time.
Speaking this morning Cllr. Ward said:
"I have no doubt that this attack was a deliberate attempt to try and kill myself and my family carried out by unionist paramilitaries. It is an attempt to prevent me from continuing to represent the nationalist and republican community in Banbridge who made history last May by electing a Sinn Féin representative for the first time.
"This is not an isolated attack. Nationalists in the Banbridge area have frequently been attacked and intimidated. Across the six counties in recent weeks there has been a sustained unionist paramilitary campaign against Catholics and nationalists.
"Given the attitude of the DUP towards their nationalist neighbours it is not surprising that elements within their constituency operate in this fashion. There is a clear and direct responsibility on Ian Paisley to tackle the issue of the unionist death squads. The DUP can no longer hide behind anti-republican rhetoric as a tactic in avoiding their responsibilities in ending this campaign of violence and intimidation." ENDS
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