The following photographs have been taken by residents living in Short Strand. Many have been used in Papers and some have also been given to the Police Ombudsman who are investigating RUC/PSNI brutality and treatment of nationalists during these attacks by Loyalists on our community.



Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image.

On Saturday 11th May two pipe bombs were thrown from the loyalist end of Madrid St at
Nationalist homes. The PSNI move in in full riot gear and face of Nationalists whose homes had just been attacked.        

After a tense stand-off the PSNI baton charged Nationalists causing one man (pictured above) to have to under go neuro-surgery as a result of the beating he received by the PSNI. Amateur video footage shown all over the media shows this man, minutes before he was savagely attacked talking calmly with the PSNI and gesturing with his hands in the air.

On Tuesday 14th after suffering a weekend of sustained attacks on their homes the PSNI came into the area to carryout a number of raids. None of the things they claimed they were looking for was found. The raids were just an excuse to kick a community when it was down. The PSNI came into the area at approx 4pm and pulled out approx 5.30 leaving a trail of broken homes and angry residents. They also left six people in hospital after shooting them with plastic bullets (including a reporter from the Irish News).

Graffiti appeared on the walls of Short Strand claiming no change in this so-called New
REFORMED Police Service. Nationalist residents with the help of the Housing Executive and
Association boarded up their windows and doors to protect their homes against loyalist attack. 
Security gates were erected in Madrid St to prevent attacks but had to be heightened after pipe
bombs were thrown over them.

Graffiti appeared on the walls in loyalist areas warning 'No Short Strand Taigs On Our Roads' and 'Short Strand Taigs Enter At Your Own Risk'. This coincided with catholic workers in East Belfast being warned not to return to work. PSNI detectives told a Short Strand resident that a death threat had been issued against him and not to return to work and a number of protestants living in Short Strand also received death threats, all from loyalist paramilitaries. One of which had two bullets posted to his home.

As a result of the security measures in Madrid St, Clandeboye became the new scene of attack.  Pipe bombs, petrol bombs, fireworks, stones, bottles and bricks were hurled constantly from Cluan Place. Again residents had to live in their homes with their windows and doors boarded up. The constant petrol bomb attacks meant that a number of hoses have been permanently connected to water hydrants to enable residents to quickly extinguish these petrol bombs.

A peaceful rally, organized to highlight the attacks on Short Strand was attacked by masked
loyalists. Again, the PSNI turned their guns on nationalists defending their homes after they allowed loyalists through their security lines to attack nationalist homes and then. Again their weapons were accurate in hitting innocent targets. A total of eight people were hit including a women shot in the foot and a 14yr old boy shot in the ankle.

The attacks on Short Strand have been ongoing since 11th May. Below are various images from
various incidents. Unionist and Loyalist politicians are continually blaming Short Strand on these
attacks and PSNI are doing little to help this. The media have little interest in highlighting what is
going on in the Short Strand either because they don't care or they are too scared. I would prefer to believe the second instance but its up to you to decide.

These pictures above show how the PSNI and British army continually seal in the residents of Short Strand while they are subjected to continuous and sustained attacks by Loyalists. And, when they get the chance, turn their guns and batons on Nationalists.

Diary of attacks from May 11th until Present



Artwork

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