Third sectarian hate crime at home of DUP Councillor

A DUP councillor says a third sectarian hate crime has been occurred at his home.

Councillor James Shiels told Q Radio News that slogans and sectarian remarks were screamed at him “during an expletive filled rant."

It happened shortly before 2am on Friday morning.

"These people clearly have nothing to else to do except spend their nights driving round looking for people to intimidate and I genuinely pity them more than anything else.

"People don't want this type of activity in the area, but sadly some in the Republican community just can't move on from the dark days of our recent past," he says.

Cllr Shiels says this campaign of hate is being waged against him, just as it was in the past against his colleagues Cllr George Duddy in Coleraine and Cllr Sammy Brus.

"Recently I have spoken out against illegal fuel laundering, drugs and intimidation of unionists in the South Londonderry area, and it is clear some would prefer it if I just kept my mouth shut and looked the other way like some others," he says.

Cllr Shiels has pointed out that this latest attempt at intimidation will not deflect him from representing his constituents, nor will it stop him speaking out against criminality and the gangs behind it.

He adds: "I have spoken with the PSNI on a number of occasions over this last month and am encouraged by their response, and their commitment to dealing with this ongoing issue."