Catholic man ‘forced out’ of town by loyalists
Two loyalists wielding machetes chase after teenager in Celtic top
By Connla Young
A Catholic man has claimed he is unable to return to his Co Antrim home after he was chased by a pair of machete-wielding loyalists.
Ciarán Magill has said he was forced to flee Ballymena last Sunday after being chased through the town’s Dunvale estate by two loyalists carrying machetes.
The 19-year-old said he had been targeted because he was a Catholic and had been wearing a Celtic soccer jersey when the incident took place.
“I was wearing a Celtic top. They came out an entry and shouted at me to come to them and then started to chase after me.
“I believe they were both loyalists as I knew one of them.
“One of the men chasing me was hit by a lump of timber by someone standing in an entry. I don’t know who did that.
“Within minutes, there was police all over the place and I think they were looking for me.
“They raided a house owned by one of my relations looking for ceremonial swords. They just kicked the door in.
“I got out of the estate straight away. I was afraid of being lifted by the police.
“Everybody is very mindful of what happened to Michael McIlveen.
“Every Catholic, nationalist and republican is keeping their heads down in Ballymena because they are scared of what the loyalists will do next. I used to live in Ballymena but left because of attacks.
“I returned a couple of weeks ago and now this has happened.
“Now I have to leave again because of loyalists and the police. The PSNI are that sectarian and bigoted, they will try to do me and not those who chased me.
“I’m waiting for the police to come for me. I’m a Catholic. It’s me they’re going to come after, not the loyalists,” said Mr Magill.
Ballymena Sinn Féin councillor Monica Digney said: “In the wake of Michael McIlveen’s death, it is clear nothing has changed and that loyalists feel they can go into nationalist areas with machetes and baseball bats and attack young Catholics.
“Questions have to be asked why the police are nowhere to be seen when these incidents happen.”
