Councillor claims ‘fear factor’ in town where Catholic man was attacked for wearing GAA jersey – The Irish News

A “fear factor” continues to hang over a County Armagh town with a history of sectarian violence, where a Catholic man was attacked last weekend for wearing a GAA shirt.

Marty McWilliams suffered injuries to his hand after being attacked by two men around noon on Sunday in the predominantly Protestant city.

The police assume that the attack will be punished as a crime motivated by religious hatred.

In 1997, father of three Robert Hamill was beaten by a mob of loyalist supporters in the city and died of his injuries in hospital eleven days later.

Portadown was also at the centre of the bitter dispute over the Drumcree Parade.

The latest victim of a sectarian attack in the city said he was attacked on his way to a local shop while wearing a shirt of Mexico City GAA club Los San Patricios.

Speaking to the Irish News this week, the victim said his attackers asked: “Why are you wearing that damn top?”

He said one of the men later came into the store and there was an exchange of words before he left.

The 34-year-old said he was “defending himself” when the attackers – one of whom had a bottle – tried to prevent him from getting into his car.

He added that when he finally reached the vehicle, it was attacked and £3,500 worth of damage was caused.

Mr McWilliams said he had worn GAA shirts in the area before and was a regular visitor.

The former Cliftonville FC coach said he was “scared for his life because I saw a bottle”.

Sinn Féin councillor Paul Duffy said he had raised the attack with police and that Mr McWilliams was concerned for his safety.

“There is no place for such attacks in society,” he said. “The behavior is harmful and there is no reason for it.”

Mr Duffy said there was “still a fear factor around Portadown”, adding that “there is still a certain element of fear in certain parts of the town at certain times of the night”.