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Gun attack may be linked to flags | Gun attack may be linked to flags |
(21 minutes later) | |
A number of shots have been fired at a house in the Rossdale area of Ballymena, County Antrim. | A number of shots have been fired at a house in the Rossdale area of Ballymena, County Antrim. |
It happened at about 0030 BST on Tuesday. A man and woman in the house at the time were not injured. | It happened at about 0030 BST on Tuesday. A man and woman in the house at the time were not injured. |
DUP councillor John Carson, who condemned the attack, said there had been tensions in the area over flags. | DUP councillor John Carson, who condemned the attack, said there had been tensions in the area over flags. |
He said it was the second attack on the property, which belongs to a member of a local community association. | He said it was the second attack on the property, which belongs to a member of a local community association. |
Councillor Carson said there had been a "deal done on flags last year" that they would be put up on 1 July and taken down on 31 August. | Councillor Carson said there had been a "deal done on flags last year" that they would be put up on 1 July and taken down on 31 August. |
However, he said this year someone had "taken it upon themselves" to put flags on every lamppost in the development. | However, he said this year someone had "taken it upon themselves" to put flags on every lamppost in the development. |
He added that the woman whose home was attacked approached those putting up the flags. | He added that the woman whose home was attacked approached those putting up the flags. |
"We want to live at peace with our neighbours in a democratic society," said Councillor Carson. | "We want to live at peace with our neighbours in a democratic society," said Councillor Carson. |
'Fly a flag' | 'Fly a flag' |
"Just because I decide to fly a flag from my property, and that's my that my democratic right - I have no right to cross the street and tell a neighbour to get his out." | "Just because I decide to fly a flag from my property, and that's my that my democratic right - I have no right to cross the street and tell a neighbour to get his out." |
SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan condemned the attack as the work of "bully boys." | |
"Residents in the Rossdale area are very opposed to this spate of flag waving. There is a flag on virtually every lamppost in the development," he said. | |
"Strenuous efforts have been made by councillors and others to resolve the matter. Now a member of the Residents' Association has been deliberately targeted in a very serious, violent manner." | |
Police said that a motive for the attack had not yet been established. | Police said that a motive for the attack had not yet been established. |
It is understood a male wearing a hooded top and a balaclava was seen in a dark coloured Citroen Saxo car in the area at the time. | It is understood a male wearing a hooded top and a balaclava was seen in a dark coloured Citroen Saxo car in the area at the time. |