- A Catholic mother of four has fled her home in north Belfast’s Annalee Street after receiving sectarian threats, including warnings of a pipe bomb attack.
- Her children were reportedly threatened by adults in a local park.
- The incident follows a series of racist and sectarian attacks in the Lower Oldpark area, prompting a multi-agency meeting led by Sinn Féin MP John Finucane.
- Police say they are taking the threats seriously, while housing bodies and political leaders work to ensure safety for affected families.
A young mother in north Belfast has been forced to abandon her home after receiving chilling sectarian threats — including warnings that her house would be targeted with pipe bombs.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, had moved into a new development on Annalee Street in the Lower Oldpark area. But three weeks ago, she fled with her four children after they were threatened by adults in a nearby park. The threats escalated, and she was told her home could be attacked.
Breaking down in an interview with BBC News NI, she described the trauma of packing her life into the boot of her car and relying on friends and family for shelter. She now lives in a cramped two-bedroom flat with her children, one of whom remains deeply shaken.
Her story is part of a wider pattern of sectarian and racist intimidation in the area. In May, several Catholic families on the same street were targeted, with some forced to relocate. More recently, homes in Manor Street and Summerhill Court were damaged in racially-motivated attacks, including smashed windows and graffiti.
On Tuesday, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane hosted a multi-agency meeting at the Girdwood community hub, bringing together police, housing bodies, and political representatives. He called for a robust response and warned that if paramilitary groups are involved, they must be held accountable.
Alliance MLA Nuala McAllister said progress is being made, but acknowledged that the situation remains unsettled. Clanmil Housing, which manages properties in the area, issued a statement condemning the attacks and reaffirming their commitment to making homes safe and welcoming for all.
For the families affected, the message is clear: they want peace, protection, and the freedom to raise their children without fear — something they never imagined would still be under threat in 2025.
