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| St Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Newtownabbey damaged in arson attack | St Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Newtownabbey damaged in arson attack |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An overnight arson attack on a Catholic church in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, is being treated as a hate crime. | An overnight arson attack on a Catholic church in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, is being treated as a hate crime. |
| The damage was discovered shortly before 01:30 BST at St Mary's Star of the Sea Church on the Shore Road in Newtownabbey. | The damage was discovered shortly before 01:30 BST at St Mary's Star of the Sea Church on the Shore Road in Newtownabbey. |
| It is believed flammable liquid was used in the attack, which caused scorch damage to a back door of the church. | It is believed flammable liquid was used in the attack, which caused scorch damage to a back door of the church. |
| A police spokesman said they were treating the attack as a sectarian hate crime and appealed for information. | |
| The church has been targeted a number of times previously. Last September, a petrol bomb and paint were thrown at the church. | The church has been targeted a number of times previously. Last September, a petrol bomb and paint were thrown at the church. |
| Alliance councillor for the area, Billy Webb, said he was "shocked and horrified" by the attack. | Alliance councillor for the area, Billy Webb, said he was "shocked and horrified" by the attack. |
| He said: "No place of worship should ever be subjected to any attack. This is not the first time St Mary's Star of the Sea has become a target and this thuggish behaviour must be brought to an end. | He said: "No place of worship should ever be subjected to any attack. This is not the first time St Mary's Star of the Sea has become a target and this thuggish behaviour must be brought to an end. |
| "This latest attack on the church will sadden the parish priest, the parishioners and the local community representing all faiths. Those doing this really need to take a step back. | "This latest attack on the church will sadden the parish priest, the parishioners and the local community representing all faiths. Those doing this really need to take a step back. |
| "This is just an attack on us all, and this campaign of intolerance must be brought to an end quickly." | "This is just an attack on us all, and this campaign of intolerance must be brought to an end quickly." |