Multi-agency meeting to take place

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane is to host a meeting after recent sectarian and racist incidents in north Belfast.

On Thursday night, a number of homes were attacked in the lower Oldpark area, in what police are treating as racially-motivated hate crimes.

In May, homes of Catholic families were targeted in the nearby Alloa and Annalee Streets.

Elected representatives, community activists and groups will meet to address the attacks on Tuesday.

Sia Fey, who is a victim of a recent racist attack, told BBC News NI she intends to keep her family in their north Belfast home.

On Thursday night, she was in her house in Manor Street with her two children, aged 12 and 14, when the window of their living room was smashed.

“It is important that we send a strong and united message that racist and sectarian intimidation will not be tolerated,” Finucane said.

Another house in Manor Street and one in nearby Summerhill Court, were also damaged in the incidents on Thursday.

Police are investigating a potential link between all three incidents.

In May a number of families said they planned to leave their homes after they were targeted in a sectarian-motivated attack.

Houses were damaged in the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas by a group of masked individuals, who are believed to have thrown masonry at the properties.

Finucane is hosting the meeting with agencies and politicians to address the recent attacks.

On Monday, he met community activists alongside Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly and councillor Tomás O’Neill.

“The vast majority of people in north Belfast want to live in peace and for those responsible for these incidents, they do not represent these communities,” he said.

“We must all stand together against sectarianism and racism and provide full support to the victims.”