SDLP Deputy Leader Nichola Mallon has condemned a sectarian attack on a twelve-year-old boy at Ardoyne in North Belfast.
The boy was punched while walking on the Ardoyne Road at around 7.30pm on Saturday night.
The North Belfast MLA said:
“It is sickening that a child was attacked by a group of young people while out walking on Saturday evening. This sectarian hate crime should be met with universal condemnation. The fact that attacks like this continue to happen in 2021 should be a wake up call to us all.
“My thoughts are with the boy who is understandably shaken following this attack. Incidents like this do not reflect the community in North Belfast and Ardoyne, where the vast majority of people just want to live in harmony with their neighbours. I would urge any young people engaging in this type of activity to stop, consider their actions and the fact that they will end up with a criminal record that will have a huge impact on their future. I would also encourage anyone with any information about this attack to come forward to police.”