Stall paintbombed at Castlecourt

Published Friday, 16 November 2012

A stall has been paintbombed in a busy Belfast shopping centre by a man who claimed to be protesting over the Israeli offensive on Gaza.

The scene of the paintbombing at Castlecourt. (© Republican Network For Unity)

PICTURE

GALLERY

People flee the stall as the paint bombs are dropped by members of a group who claim to be protesting over the Israeli offensive on Gaza.

Police are investigating the incident at Castlecourt.

The incident happened in Castlecourt on Friday at 1.50pm when the shopping centre was packed with Christmas shoppers.

Republican Network for Unity (RNU) have admitted carrying out the attack on the Sea Spa Skin Care stall, which sells cosmetics using Dead Sea Salt.

In a statement RNU said that six balloons filled with red paint were launched from a balcony overlooking the stall.

East Belfast DUP MLA Robin Newton has condemned the attack as "despicable".

He said it was "motivated only by a hatred of Israel".

"The attempts to excuse their actions are pathetic and unconvincing," he added.

"The threats to repeat the attack show contempt for stall workers, shoppers and the citizens of Belfast. The stall has a right to trade and those working have a need for a job."

Over 20 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed in attacks by both sides following Israel's assassination of Ahmed Jabari, the Hamas military chief, in a drone strike on his car on Wednesday.

Hundreds of rockets have been fired into Israel, who has responded with airstrikes during three days of fighting.

Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has condemned the escalation of violence which he said has put the lives of innocent civilians at risk.

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has information in relation to it to contact them.

Comments

48 Comments

Billy in Falls Road wrote (186 days ago):

They Call Them Self's Republican Network For Unity.... Use Boy's Are Living On The QUEENS Money And Use Don't Complain About That But Use Call Your Self's Republicans. What A Joke....

Ady in Tyrone wrote (188 days ago):

For a majority of comment posters here , please try to realise this has nothing to do with our sad little "paint bombings" and marches in our sad land. This is genocide by a nuclear superpower while the world watches on ! SHAME !!!

liam in belfast wrote (189 days ago):

all you posters who support what Israel is doing clearly don't actually know what is happening over there. Go and read up on it, don't get your info from the news, just go and read the history and the facts. Shame on Israel.

Dave in omagh wrote (189 days ago):

Caitlan, I'm not twisting your words but are you claiming to support the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad? Do you not realise they dislike YOUR WESTERN way off life. If you feel so sorry about it get over there and I'm sure they would only be too willing to have you on board...you'd have to wear a Burka mind and get married 6 times!! You would also loose pretty much all your rights and any freedom which you enjoy but then I suppose as a poor wee Republican your used to being treated as a 2nd class citizen, discriminated against by those ruthless Prods and tormented by the Orange Order, British Army foot patrols and RUC daily???

Ryan in Belfast wrote (189 days ago):

@John in Londonderry. Poor old Palestine? John, its sickening your making light of the situation in Palestine, i wouldnt call 50 people murdered by the Israeli army (so far) 14 out of them CHILDREN, palestine "playing the victim". You should hang your head in shame for that comment John. But of course, if this was happening to your community John you'd be acting the victim to such a great extent you'd be runner up for an Oscar.

More Comments

^ Top of Comments