Assembly member pelted with stones at bonfire
Loyalists stoned a Northern Ireland Assembly member at a bonfire site in Belfast, she revealed tonight.
Carmel Hanna, a nationalist SDLP MLA for the south of the city, was pelted as she arrived at the scene for a television interview on environmental concerns.
A shaken Mrs Hanna said: “I just heard the bricks hit the roof of my car, and one broke my wing mirror.
“There were heavy thuds and my car was the only thing that was hit. I had to drive out to get away.”
The attack happened at Shaw’s Bridge where loyalists have already begun gathering for the 11th night celebrations ahead of the annual July 12 bonfire celebrations.
Although Mrs Hanna stressed that she respected their right to mark a key date in the Protestant calendar, she added: “As a republic representative I should be allowed to have a view on it.
“We need health and safety regulations implemented just like there are for Halloween fireworks and there should be a time frame so that these sites are not polluted all year round.”
