CARE NI Director Tim Martin Places of worship under threat of attack in Northern Ireland were offered reprieve last week as the DUP voiced its support for additional help for these centres of worship.
Charity director Tim Martin and policy officer Mark Baille met with First Minister Arlene Foster and other MLAs to discuss CARE NI’s calls for consideration of a places of worship fund to be created. The fund would mirror a similar initiative in place in England and Wales.
During the meeting, Ms Foster said her party supported additional support for places of worship which are at risk of attack, including the idea of introducing a Places of Worship Security Scheme. She indicated the DUP would work to see additional support provided.
The meeting came after CARE NI recently published research following a freedom of information request which showed places of worship in NI had been attacked more than 600 times in just five years.
Commenting on the First Minister’s support, Mr Baille said: “We welcome the DUP’s support for additional support to be provided to places of worship which are at risk of or have been attacked.
“We are reaching out to politicians across the spectrum here in Northern Ireland and are optimistic there’s real support for action to support places of worship which are impacted by attacks.”