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Residents 'shouldn't have to leave homes' after sectarian attacks

BBC A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a grey jumper with sunglasses placed on top of her head, she is stood outside a red brick house with metal railings and is staring expressionless at the camera.BBC
Kirsty Giffen-McGrath says the community has come together following Wednesday's attacks

A north Belfast community has found itself "looking after each other" after a number of homes were damaged in a sectarian-motivated attack, a local resident has said.

A group of masked individuals, who are believed to have thrown masonry at the properties, were reported to have entered the Annalee Street and Alloa Street areas at about 21:45 BST on Wednesday, police said.

Kirsty Giffen-McGrath was sat at the rear of her property, which was undamaged, and said she initially thought it was "kids messing about".

"We all came out together, I have to say it was terrifying, I've never experienced anything like that before," she told BBC News NI.

"Today, especially with it hitting the news... it makes it very real, just how at risk you are for who you are."

Close shot of two windows, both of which have plywood covering damaged glass, on the upper level of a red brick house
A group of masked individuals are believed to have thrown masonry at a number of properties, police say

Ms Giffen-McGrath has lived in the area for several months and has "absolutely loved" the sense of community.

"It's something I've always wanted. That's exactly what we've got, all the kids are outside playing, all the neighbours know each other. We're all in sync with each other, it's been lovely."

Following the attack, she said fearful residents came together "to try and keep the sanity and keep the nerves down".

"Straight away it was as if we were friends for life," she explained.

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