Fr Joe McVeigh An investigation into alleged serious sectarian activity in a Belfast hospital “harks back to the past” and “can’t be tolerated” a Fermanagh-based priest has said.
This comes as a covert probe into sectarianism instigated by NHS bosses relating to events in Belfast City Hospital has come to light. It was launched after allegations of harassment against Catholics and involved a surveillance camera and two listening devices being installed in a private area of the hospital’s security department.
Leaked documents revealed alleged “nasty and vindictive” incidents including death threats and bullets being sent to a Catholic employee.
“Sectarianism, especially in parts of Belfast, there’s a strong anti-Catholic thing going on,” said Fr McVeigh.
“It’s harking back to the past, sectarianism is still a reality, it has to be dealt with. These people should be dealt with by the courts. Truly awful stuff, I thought it was dying out but there are still parts of the North.”
Although the alleged incidents occurred in 2011, a whistleblower tipped off the individuals being filmed last summer drawing the case into the public sphere. No one was ever disciplined.