Police are investigating an alleged attack on an SDLP candidate in the Stormont Assembly elections as a hate crime.
Elsie Trainor, a candidate in the southern county of Belfast, said she was attacked after being chased by two young men who stole her campaign posters.
He said he was hit on the head, fencing, and subjected to sectarian abuse. He said the youths also tried to confiscate his mobile phone when it was filmed.
The accident occurred Monday night in the Pitt Park area after two young men were being chased up stairs with campaign posters on Ravenhill Road.
Ms Trainor told Belfast Live: “What really pissed me off was the systematic nature of everything. They removed my posters systematically. It goes with obvious intimidation.”
“I can’t bear to put these things to bed. I just felt the need to take responsibility for it, and if I did, there might be an opportunity.”
He condemned the political polarization in Northern Ireland.
This would facilitate dialogue about democracy and the fact that candidates should be able to stand for election without intimidation.
“It’s a really dark place. This has to contribute to the public response and I think we can’t normalize it.”
“We cannot accept that this could happen if you put yourself on the barricade.”
Democratic Party leader Colom Eastwood condemned the attack and praised Ms Trainor as a “absolutely fearless Democrat”.
He said: The tone of this election is worrying. All political leaders should consider whether they should show leadership or increase the problem.”
Matthew O’Toole, who works in the SDLP MLA circuit, also condemned the attack.
“It shouldn’t happen in a democracy,” he said.
South Belfast MP Claire Hanna said the election campaign had been “toxic”.
He tweeted: “We at SDLP knew Elsie was in a mood when we elected her, but she shouldn’t have shown it that way.
“There are poisons in this election and we need a real public discourse about defending democracy and the opportunity to stand for election without intimidation and threats.
The condemnation was joined by DUP leader Sir Geoffrey Donaldson, who described the officials as “absolutely pathetic”.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Petty described the incident as “extremely horrific”.
Police urged anyone with information or a potential witness to come forward.
Nigel Goddard, PSNI’s chief supervisor, said officials are keen to ensure that all candidates can run for election in May without experiencing harassment, intimidation and other forms of crime.
He said the police have contacted political parties to provide briefings and information to candidates on crime prevention and personal safety.
PSNI said it saw two men post election posters from a lamppost in the Ravenhill Road area just before 5:30 p.m.
“Shortly afterwards, a woman was attacked in the Ormo Park area. He was approached by a man who was described as about 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 18 years old, and who was wearing a light gray coat,” she said.
He was then pushed by another man who was described as being about the same age, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, and was wearing a dark gray jacket with a hat, black glasses and a face mask.
During the incident, the woman was also subjected to sectarian abuse and of course she was shocked. Fortunately, he did not suffer any physical injuries.”
Police said they considered the incident a hate crime.
They called everyone who witnessed this, or had footage from cameras, cell phones, or any information that would help, to contact the officers at 101, citing 11/22/1437.
Source: Belfastlive
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