UPRG call for calm in run up to 12th July celebrations
LOYALISTS and Protestants in the Coleraine area have to be vigilant, that's the call from the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG).
In a statment given to The Coleraine Times on Monday, a spokesman for the group said: "We are calling on Loyalists and Protestants in the Coleraine area to be vigilant in the run up to the Twelfth of July celebrations.
The UPRG say that there have been many attacks, from what they call 'Republican thugs' in the last few months including attacks on the bonfire in Ballysally and cars in Windyhall.
"We are calling on the Protestant people to remain calm, and not to provoke sectarian conflict."
The spokesman went on: "One big question people both the Protestant and Catholic communities are asking is, why they are not being protected by the police?
"There has been ongoing intimidation in the Heights area.
"News reports have depicted the Heights area as a Nationalist part of the town, and that is far from the truth
"We are calling on the policitians to do something. They should be asking why the people are not being protected by the police. Sooner of later something is going to give and that could have devasting consequences for the Peace Process."
A police spokesperson said, "It is important that people from both communities do not set out to provoke a reaction and important also that people and public representatives come together to resolve the issue of sectarianism in Coleraine once and for all.
"It is clear that people from both communities need to give more thought to their own actions and how others may perceive them. Those who set out to deliberately antagonise 'the other community' or incite hatred, do themselves, their own community and Coleraine as a town a great disservice.
"We continue to work with all communities and would encourage people to engage with the Neighbourhood Officers for their area regarding their concerns.
"We will not shy away from our responsibilities and where there is evidence of offences, prosecutions will follow."
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Weather for Coleraine
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
