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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Romanian groups to be rehoused | Romanian groups to be rehoused |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| More than 100 Romanian people who fled their homes in south Belfast after a spate of racist attacks are to be temporarily rehoused in the city. | More than 100 Romanian people who fled their homes in south Belfast after a spate of racist attacks are to be temporarily rehoused in the city. |
| Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said 20 families who sought refuge in a church hall overnight would be given emergency accommodation. | Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said 20 families who sought refuge in a church hall overnight would be given emergency accommodation. |
| Police have said they do not believe paramilitaries were involved in orchestrating the attacks. | Police have said they do not believe paramilitaries were involved in orchestrating the attacks. |
| The attacks were condemned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. | The attacks were condemned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. |
| It is understood accommodation in the south Belfast area is being made available for one week. | It is understood accommodation in the south Belfast area is being made available for one week. |
| Maria Fechete said she and the other people caught up in the violence had "had enough". | Maria Fechete said she and the other people caught up in the violence had "had enough". |
| A Romanian woman covers her head as she arrives at a Belfast leisure centre | A Romanian woman covers her head as she arrives at a Belfast leisure centre |
| "I haven't slept in a week - we've just had enough," she said. | "I haven't slept in a week - we've just had enough," she said. |
| Another Romanian woman, who did not want to be named, said she feared the attackers had come to kill her and her family, and she now wanted to go back to Romania. | Another Romanian woman, who did not want to be named, said she feared the attackers had come to kill her and her family, and she now wanted to go back to Romania. |
| Margaret Ritchie said the Housing Executive would talk to those people who needed to be rehoused about "their choices and their options over the next week". | |
| Most of the Romanian families, who are members of the Roma ethnic group, spent the day at the Ozone Leisure Centre in south Belfast, after being taken there from the church hall. | Most of the Romanian families, who are members of the Roma ethnic group, spent the day at the Ozone Leisure Centre in south Belfast, after being taken there from the church hall. |
| They said they did not want to return to their Belfast homes. | They said they did not want to return to their Belfast homes. |
| AT THE SCENE Mark Simpson, BBC News | AT THE SCENE Mark Simpson, BBC News |
| Looking at 115 Romanians huddled together on the floor of a Belfast church hall, it was possible to see the worst side of Northern Ireland - and the best - all at once. | Looking at 115 Romanians huddled together on the floor of a Belfast church hall, it was possible to see the worst side of Northern Ireland - and the best - all at once. |
| The speed with which Pastor Malcolm Morgan and his team created a temporary home for 20 families was remarkable. | The speed with which Pastor Malcolm Morgan and his team created a temporary home for 20 families was remarkable. |
| At the same time, the sight of men, women and children looking so helpless and scared was a stain on Northern Ireland's international reputation. | At the same time, the sight of men, women and children looking so helpless and scared was a stain on Northern Ireland's international reputation. |
| Many of the families came to Belfast believing that the years of prejudice and narrow-mindedness were over. However, it seems that in some parts of the city, racism is the new sectarianism. | Many of the families came to Belfast believing that the years of prejudice and narrow-mindedness were over. However, it seems that in some parts of the city, racism is the new sectarianism. |
| Police responded to claims that they should have acted more quickly. | Police responded to claims that they should have acted more quickly. |
| Superintendent Chris Noble said everyone could have done more. | Superintendent Chris Noble said everyone could have done more. |
| "There are people out there who know who was involved in the initial attacks." he said. | "There are people out there who know who was involved in the initial attacks." he said. |
| The prime minister said he hoped the authorities would take all action necessary to protect the families. | The prime minister said he hoped the authorities would take all action necessary to protect the families. |
| Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson described the attacks as "deplorable". | Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson described the attacks as "deplorable". |
| The DUP leader added that Romanians had assisted the economy and deserved to have the respect of the local community. | The DUP leader added that Romanians had assisted the economy and deserved to have the respect of the local community. |
| Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the attacks were a "totally shameful episode." | Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the attacks were a "totally shameful episode." |
| But the help of the church had shown a positive side to the people of Belfast as well, she added. | But the help of the church had shown a positive side to the people of Belfast as well, she added. |
| On Tuesday night, the group of 115 Romanian people had tried to take refuge in a single house, but was eventually taken to the church by police minibus. | On Tuesday night, the group of 115 Romanian people had tried to take refuge in a single house, but was eventually taken to the church by police minibus. |
| Anna Lo of the Alliance Party said the families were "very frightened". | Anna Lo of the Alliance Party said the families were "very frightened". |
| Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness speaking after the attacks | Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness speaking after the attacks |
| Ms Lo said attacks on Romanian homes - which included bricks being thrown through windows - had been increasing in frequency in recent months. | Ms Lo said attacks on Romanian homes - which included bricks being thrown through windows - had been increasing in frequency in recent months. |
| "They are really very frightened," she said. "The women, when they were talking to me yesterday, they were really upset, tears in their eyes and said, 'You know we love it here, we'd like to live here, but we're too scared.' | "They are really very frightened," she said. "The women, when they were talking to me yesterday, they were really upset, tears in their eyes and said, 'You know we love it here, we'd like to live here, but we're too scared.' |
| Jolena Flett, Racial Harassment Adviser for the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, said they had been threatened verbally and then three properties were attacked on the same day. | Jolena Flett, Racial Harassment Adviser for the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, said they had been threatened verbally and then three properties were attacked on the same day. |