Romanians leaving Northern Ireland after attacks (Roundup)

Jun 23, 2009, 15:46 GMT

   London - Most of the 114 Romanian nationals who were forced to flee their homes in a wave of xenophobic attacks in Northern Ireland a week ago are leaving the British province to return home, the authorities said Tuesday.

   Margaret Ritchie, the minister for social development in the devolved government in Belfast, said 25 Romanians had already left and a further 75 were planning to return home.

   Just 14 had decided to stay in Northern Ireland following abuse and attacks on their homes which forced more than 100 men, women and children to seek shelter in Belfast City Church last week.

   The authorities in Northern Ireland had tried desperately to stop the Romanians from leaving, and had sought to offer them safe homes and security in talks involving Romanian diplomatic representatives.

   Martin McGuinness, the deputy leader of the regional government, said the Romanians' decision to leave was 'perfectly understandable but very sad.'

'I made it clear to them we would support whatever decision they took but I passionately wanted them to stay,' he said.

   Meanwhile, the church in Belfast which offered sanctuary to the migrants was vandalized in the early hours of Tuesday.

   Pastor Malcolm Morgan said he found the windows of his church smashed by stone throwers.

   'There were stones lying scattered on the floor inside and outside and obviously broken glass all around.'

   The pastor, who has been widely praised for his action, said the church had never been attacked in such a way before.

    A 21-year-old man appeared in court in Belfast Tuesday in connection with the attacks, charged with intimidation and provocative behaviour.

   Two teenagers were questioned by police over the incidents and three men were arrested in connection with the attack on the church, police said.

   But Pastor Morgan said a few broken windows 'was a small price to pay' for the help the church had been able to give the Romanian families.

   He said most people in the community were welcoming and only a small minority was responsible for what happened.

   'The community in this locality have been superb with their support,' he said.

The pastor said he would not be deterred by the attack and would do the same again should help be needed.