Loyalist paramilitaries have been blamed for an attack on four cleaning workers removing sectarian graffiti from an apartment block in south Belfast.
The cleaning workers arrived at the Whitehall Square apartment block in Sandy Row shortly after noon yesterday (Friday) to remove 'Taigs Out' graffiti daubed on walls outside the building.
Shortly after the workers arrived their van was attacked by four men wielding baseball bats. They smashed the windscreen before setting the van on fire.
It is understood that while the workmen were left in shock by the incident they were not physically harmed.
This is the third time in less than four weeks that the plush apartment block has been targeted.
In the first attack sectarian graffiti was daubed on the outside walls on the apartment block warning Catholics to leave the area. Less than a week later paint bombs were thrown at apartments.
It is understood that the luxurious apartments, some of which are valued at £150,000, are being targeted by loyalists because a number are owned by property developers in the Republic.
SDLP councillor Pat McCarthy said he had no doubt the attacks were being orchestrated by loyalist paramilitaries.
"Myself and unionist councillor Bob Stoker had held a meeting with local community representatives and the Northern Ireland Office on Tuesday to try and get these attacks stopped," the south Belfast councillor said.
"We were led to believe that these attacks were not being orchestrated by loyalist paramilitaries, but does anyone really believe that anyone else is going to attack and burn out a van in broad daylight in one of the city's busiest thoroughfares?
"This raises even more questions as to whether the loyalist ceasefires remain intact," Mr McCarthy said.
"In my opinion nothing happens in areas like Sandy Row without the approval of loyalist paramilitaries.
"In July these apartments were bedecked with loyalist flags. To attack workmen trying to do a day's work it is utterly despicable."
A PSNI spokeswoman last night said police had not ruled out paramilitary involvement in the attack.
