Declan Kearney, the Sinn Féin MLA for South Antrim, has condemned a series of violent incidents that targeted migrant families in South Antrim, parts of Belfast and other areas of Northern Ireland.

On various dates, so-called protests resulted in attacks on police officers, criminal damage and what Mr Kearney described as attacks on homes from which migrant families were forced to flee. He referred specifically to disruption near the Sandyknowes roundabout, the Chimney Corner hotel in Ballyclare and along the Antrim Road.

Mr Kearney said a knife attack on a local man in North Belfast last week was barbaric and expressed solidarity with the victim and his family. He added, however, that the attack did not justify the subsequent disorder, which he said had been exploited by far-right and paramilitary elements.

The MLA visited residents at Rogan Manor and on the Antrim Road who had experienced disruption and concern during the violence. He commended the Police Service of Northern Ireland for their efforts to protect life and property.

Drawing a parallel to the burning of Bombay Street in 1969, Mr Kearney said the motivation then was sectarian hatred, whereas now it is driven by racism. He called on the community to challenge anti-immigrant attitudes and to unite against what he termed racist thuggery and intimidation.