Romanians decide to leave N. Ireland after racist attacks

About 100 Romanians who fled their homes following days of racist attacks in Belfast last week have decided to leave Northern Ireland, the minister who arranged their temporary housing said yesterday.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said 25 people - some of whom had their windows smashed, doors broken down and were threatened at gunpoint - had already left. A further 75 were set to follow them home to Romania. "I am very sad that they have decided to go home.

"I always said it was a matter of personal choice and that breathing space of temporary accommodation allowed them to reflect on their circumstances," Ms Ritchie told Reuters. She said 14 Romanians had decided to stay in the country. The church hall which provided overnight shelter for the Romanian families has since had windows smashed and a door broken, police said yesterday.

Police have charged three men - two of them in their teens - over the intimidation of the Romanians. Two more teenagers were arrested yesterday for provocative conduct and intimidation.

"We are not a racist society but we have to work to build respect for political, religious and ethnic difference," Ms Ritchie said.

Politicians in Northern Ireland, which was scarred by decades of violence between Protestants and Catholics until the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement, have expressed alarm at rising crime against immigrants from Eastern Europe.