6 December 2000

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Shootings bear hallmarks of sectarian attacks - Gerry Kelly MLA

Commenting on the shooting of a Catholic taxi driver at a depot on Belfast's Oldpark Road and the murder of a Catholic man in Monkstown this afternoon, North Belfast Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly said:

``These bear all the hallmarks of loyalist attacks on innocent Catholics.

``Loyalists and unionist spokespersons last night described the shooting of a driver working for Circle Taxis as sectarian.  This was, to my mind, reckless and a  course which heightened tensions and set the scene for loyalist assaults on Catholics.

``Experience has taught us that loyalist feuding traditionally leads to attacks by loyalist murder gangs on Catholic people.  It would appear that this is precisely what has happened on the Oldpark Road and in Monkstown this afternoon.

``I again urge all nationalists to exercise extreme vigilance in the days ahead.''

ENDS

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