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Intolerable Situation For Londonderry Protestants

Article 5 ~ November 2003

The pressures on Protestants in Londonderry city have continued during the past month, with almost daily attacks on people and houses in the Fountain area.

Residents have told the Orange Standard about the difficulties of living in one of Northern Ireland's most vulnerable interface areas. Children and young people have been attacked by thugs, and petrol bombs and bottles have been thrown from Abercorn Road and from the Walls into the Fountain estate.

Threats have been shouted by thugs from London Street, and all this has created an atmosphere of tension within the area. As one resident has said, the attacks have become routine that in many cases the victims have not reported the incidents to the police, as the assailants almost always get away.

It's an intolerable situation, but the bravery and courage of the Fountain people has to be stressed, because as our readers have said, they have no intention of moving from the area, and are more determined than ever to stay in this famous district.

Nevertheless, they deserve better than this, and it is up to the authorities to provide the protection which these good people are entitled to receive.

Derry City Council could also do more to help, and its attitude towards the Protestant minority has not set a very good example. For instance, a new medal struck recently to mark the 30th anniversary of the Council, contains no reference to the city's name. There is no reference to Londonderry, and the term 'Derry City Council' is not balanced with any other reference.

And the City Council has also ignored Protestant feelings by pressing ahead with plans for a GAA pitch at Lisnagelvin, in the heart of the mainly Protestant Waterside. The seleciton of this site is seen by Protestants as a calculated act of provocation and likely to increase tension at the Irish Street-Gobnascale interface.

Protestant spokesmen, stressing that the minority community in the city are not opposed to GAA pitches, but feel the reality of siting it in the area so close to Protestant estates is provocative. They have also pointed out that a suitable venue for the site can be found at Prehen.

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