
Claire Sugden MLA has condemned the attack on the Men’s Shed in Ballykelly which police are treating as a sectarian hate crime.
MLA Sugden said : “I condemn the sectarian hate crime on a newly opened Men’s Shed in Ballykelly.
This was a deliberate and callous act whereby sectarian graffiti was sprayed on the walls of the building.
I commend the work of the Men’s Shed in the local community. Ballykelly is a peaceful, rural area where many families live. This is a much valued, creative space where members of the community can meet and share ideas.
This incident happened during hate crime awareness week when the majority of people in our communities were reflecting on how we can create an inclusive and diverse society. There is no room for this type of behaviour.
Each incident of hate crime is one too many and should not be tolerated. Each of us has a responsibility to support our neighbours and to contribute to building communities which are welcoming and respectful.
The PSNI are working to resolve this. I call on anyone who has information to contact the police on the non-emergency number 101.”