South Belfast Ulster Unionist Candidate, Stephen McCarthy, has condemned an arson attack at the home of the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association on Donegall Pass. The fire broke out at the former Presbyterian Church in the early hours of Friday morning.

Stephen McCarthy said:

“This is the second such attack at this building which suffered a serious arson attack in January 2021, and it is absolutely disgraceful.

“Work had just finished this week on repairing the roof from the last arson attack. To see the community set back yet again is so disheartening and infuriating.  The people of South Belfast stand firmly with the Multi-Cultural Association and their right to have a home here on Donegall Pass, and the police are treating this incident as suspected arson and a hate crime.

“I know many members of the community locally are rightly proud of the peaceful multi-cultural nature of this area and are disgusted with this latest incident. I ask anyone with any information to contact the Police on 101 or to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”