Northern Ireland: Romanians flee after racist attacks

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Romanians flee homes after attack


More than 100 Romanian people forced to flee their homes in south Belfast have been moved to a leisure centre.

The group of about 20 families spent Tuesday night in a church hall after a spate of racist attacks on their homes.

Police have said they do not believe paramilitaries were involved in orchestrating the attacks.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, who has met with the families, said the attacks were a "totally shameful episode".

"We need a collective effort to face down this criminals in society who are quite clearly intent on preying on vulnerable women and children," he said.

The police have met Belfast City Council and social services to discuss how best to care for those affected by the attacks.

Most of the Romanian families, including one with a five-day-old girl, have been taken to the Ozone Leisure Centre in south Belfast, where they will spend the rest of the day.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8104287.stm