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09 July 2010

The Community Relations Council (CRC) has condemned the arson attack last night on Barron Hall in Newtownabbey, the premises of Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum which is core-funded by CRC

Speaking after CRC staff had visited the site of the attack CRC Chair Tony McCusker said:

“Barron Hall had been developed by Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum as a shared space and resource available to the whole community in Newtownabbey and beyond. It was being used by young and old from all community backgrounds as part of a project designed to help local people gain a better understanding of and respect for each other’s views and traditions. An attack on this building is an attack on community relations.

The Newtownabbey Community Relations Forum at Barron Hall has been encouraging honest and open debate  and has provided access to information, training, advice and support to promote community relations activities.  Those responsible for this attack offer nothing to the local community. Those involved in bridgebuilding at Barron Hall on the other hand offer a positive vision of the future and must continue to be supported.”