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Alliance Party: Suspected arson attack at Lisburn office | Alliance Party: Suspected arson attack at Lisburn office |
(about 4 hours later) | |
There has been a suspected arson attack at the Alliance Party office in Lisburn, County Antrim. | There has been a suspected arson attack at the Alliance Party office in Lisburn, County Antrim. |
A member of the public reported hearing a bang in the area at 06:00 GMT on Saturday. | A member of the public reported hearing a bang in the area at 06:00 GMT on Saturday. |
It is thought that petrol was poured through the shutters of the office at Graham Gardens, but did not ignite properly. | It is thought that petrol was poured through the shutters of the office at Graham Gardens, but did not ignite properly. |
A follow-up investigation found fire damage behind the shutters, and a forensic examination is under way. | A follow-up investigation found fire damage behind the shutters, and a forensic examination is under way. |
At this stage it is not thought that an explosive device was used. | At this stage it is not thought that an explosive device was used. |
The party's Lagan Valley MLA, Trevor Lunn, condemned the attack. | The party's Lagan Valley MLA, Trevor Lunn, condemned the attack. |
'Intimidation' | 'Intimidation' |
He said: "This is an attack on democracy. There is no place in our society for this violence that should be condemned by all. | He said: "This is an attack on democracy. There is no place in our society for this violence that should be condemned by all. |
"This attack will not deter us from continuing to work on behalf of the people of Lagan Valley. | "This attack will not deter us from continuing to work on behalf of the people of Lagan Valley. |
"This is the latest in a number of attacks on Alliance Party offices, but we will not give in to violence and intimidation. Alliance will continue to work to achieve a shared future for everyone. | "This is the latest in a number of attacks on Alliance Party offices, but we will not give in to violence and intimidation. Alliance will continue to work to achieve a shared future for everyone. |
"I would urge anybody with any information about this attack to contact the police." | "I would urge anybody with any information about this attack to contact the police." |
Justice minister and Alliance leader, David Ford, said: "It is extremely worrying. It's not going to affect the work we do, but it's a disappointing example of what some people are still up to and has to be condemned by everyone." | Justice minister and Alliance leader, David Ford, said: "It is extremely worrying. It's not going to affect the work we do, but it's a disappointing example of what some people are still up to and has to be condemned by everyone." |
Lagan Valley MP, Jeffrey Donaldson (DUP), said the attack was "an assault on democracy itself". | |
"Whether it is bombs in Belfast or an arson attack in Lisburn, such criminal actions are designed to undermine those rights and damage democracy," he said. | "Whether it is bombs in Belfast or an arson attack in Lisburn, such criminal actions are designed to undermine those rights and damage democracy," he said. |