Two Alliance members defiant as they are 'hand-delivered' bullets
Bullets have been sent to the homes of two political representatives in the North.
The cross community Alliance Party has confirmed Belfast councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown and representative Duncan Morrow had been “hand-delivered” bullets on Friday night.
Mr McDonough-Brown vowed not to be intimidated.
He said: “We will not be deterred from representing the people of South Belfast by those who hand delivered these bullets to our homes. Elected representatives should be able to work on behalf of their constituents without the fear of violence or intimidation.
“These people are afraid of what Alliance stands for. Their attempt at intimidation will not succeed. My colleagues and I will continue our work to make Belfast a more open and prosperous city for everyone.”
Duncan Morrow said the people responsible offered nothing to society.
He said: “Those responsible are mistaken if they believe that this will stop us from continuing our work to deliver a shared future for everyone in our society. They offer Belfast nothing and only wish to see a return to the dark days of the past.”
The Alliance Party has been the focus of loyalist anger since its members backed a decision restricting the flying of the Union flag at Belfast City Hall two years ago.
There was a huge loyalist backlash after city councillors voted to fly the flag only on designated days – bringing it into line with other government buildings including Stormont.
The party’s only MP Naomi Long received a death threat and petrol bombs were thrown at her office in east Belfast in the wake of the controversial vote in December 2012.
Another constituency office belonging to East Antrim MLA Stewart Dixon was burnt out; windows were smashed at the home of Michael and Christine Bower in North Down and further threats were made against Belfast councillor Laura McNamee.
The outlawed loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force was widely blamed for orchestrating much of the violence.
