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Man accused of threatening Romanians

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Racist attack on south Belfast house
A man accused of menacing Romanians out of their home in Belfast has been banned from the area where the intimidation allegedly took place.

The exclusion zone was imposed on Shane Murphy, a 21-year-old joiner, as he was granted High Court bail.

Murphy, of Donegall Road, Belfast, faces two charges connected to a campaign which forced more than 100 migrants to flee last month.

He is accused of using threats or menaces against Romanians living at a house on Belgravia Avenue in the city.

It is also alleged that he shouted racist comments during a protest against the intimidation of foreign nationals.

Two youths aged 15 and 16 have also been charged in connection with the incidents which led to families quitting Northern Ireland and returning to their native country.

During Murphy's application for bail Crown Counsel Conor Maguire said police were not opposing his release as long as a suitable address could be found.

He told the court the concern was to have the accused removed from an area around the Lisburn Road in Belfast.

Mr Maguire also sought an order for Murphy not to interfere with any witnesses.

"That was the reason for seeking an exclusion from that area," the barrister said.

Granting bail, Lord Justice Girvan directed the accused to live with a foster aunt at an address in Jordanstown, just outside Belfast.

The judge agreed to prohibit any contact with witnesses and added: "He must not enter the area delineated on the map."

© Press Association

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At 16:15 on 24 July 2009, Thomas wrote:
having spent some time living in Romania myself, I doubt it very much that the Roma people (who happen to be an ethenic minority in Romania) would actually involve themselves in stone throwing. They even face violence from 'mainstream' Romanians in Romania who dislike them generally, and I never have seen the Tiganii (Roma) involve themselves anything like stone throwing there.
At 14:24 on 24 July 2009, j r wrote:
funny you never hear what the romanian's did before all this, throw stone and other objects at people walking be on the lisburn road.
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