Trust workers helped terrorised nurses to flee from their homes

STAFF from the Northern Health Trust rushed to the aid of their colleagues to help nurses move after their homes were targeted in a wave of racist attacks in Antrim.

Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh revealed this week that it had been a ‘hugely distressing’ experience for all concerned.

And she added that she hoped it would not deter international workers from coming to work in the town.

The intervention came after eight African families were forced to leave the Ballycraigy estate after their homes were marked out with spray paint.

Racist material was taped to their windows and posts. One suggested that it is ‘not racist to look after your own’. Another said ‘we have had enough of undesirables and immigrants’ being placed in the community - adding that ‘action will be taken’.

Several families also had their car windows smashed.

It has emerged that four of the eight families who fled their homes were employed as nurses in the Northern Trust.

Ms Welsh said the trust had provided ‘practical and emotional support’ to those affected, helping ‘find new, suitable temporary accommodation’ for the families.

She said the nurses’ colleagues and other Trust staff helped the families pack up their belongings, clean rented accommodation and move out of their homes.

Traumatic

The situation had been ‘traumatic’, she said, particularly since some of those affected had young children.

“Sadly there have been a number of recent incidents where staff have been subjected to racist abuse and have felt both threatened and intimidated,” said Ms Welsh.

“The targeting of homes in the Ballycraigy estate has been the most concerning attacks on the Trust’s staff.”

And that could ultimately have implications for the wider community. The Trust has a diverse staff across its facilities and it relies heavily on international workers.

“Quite simply we couldn’t do without them,” said the Trust Chief.

“[They] have come here to support us in our time of need.”

She added that the Trust was offering support to families affected and hoped that they would all soon be able to return to work. Some already have.

Nevertheless, she acknowledged that it would taken time, as many had been left ‘deeply upset’ by the intimidation.

“I very much want to send a strong message of my support to our entire workforce, and that of our senior management, that we all condemn all these attacks,” she added.

Last week, Owen Harkin, the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Finance and Estates and Chair of the Northern Trust’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, wrote to all staff to update them on the intimidation.

Mr Harkin told colleagues: “I am aware of recent and shocking incidents in the Antrim area where some members of our international staff have been subjected to intimidation and racial abuse, which has resulted in them having to leave their homes.

“This is totally unacceptable and deeply distressing for those who have been impacted.

“As a healthcare provider, our reliance on our international workers cannot be underestimated.

“I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that our entire workforce has our support.

“I know that colleagues across the Trust will also support any members of staff who have been impacted by these events.”

Swift condemnation

The wave of attacks, along with the sinister emergence of Nazi swastikas, has been roundly condemned by local politicians.

“Those taking part in these acts want to cause fear or promote hatred and these racist attacks will not be tolerated in the Antrim community,” said newly elected South Antrim MP Robin Swann.

“Any house subject to racist graffiti in Northern Ireland is an insult to democracy.”

Alliance MLA John Blair blamed the wave of attacks on ‘thugs and bullies’.

“The blatant displays of racism and the targeting of innocent people is both utterly appalling and very disturbing,” he said.

“We share our community and none of us own it.

“When people behave as if they do own it there is normally a controlling and sinister motivation involved.”

SDLP Councillor Roisin Lynch revealed that she had been contacted by members of minority communities who now ‘feel unsafe in their own homes’.

“These incidents do not reflect the Antrim that I know and love,” she said.

“I would call on the people who are behind this campaign to stop and think about what they are doing.”

Sinn Fein MLA Declan Kearney laid the blame at the door of ‘a small gang of paramilitary criminals’ who are ‘trying to control and coerce the greater Ballycraigy neighbourhood’.

“They are attempting to increase fear and destroy the good community and multi-cultural relations which are now enjoyed in Antrim.

“We must collectively ensure they do not succeed,” he said.

“This is Antrim in 2024, not Alabama in 1964.

“There is no place for racism, sectarianism, or paramilitary influence.”