OFMDFM: “We would ask everyone to give the official the time and space to conduct this work…”

The reaction of our indigenous administration to two nights of violence in east Belfast that was, according to the PSNI, at least partly orchestrated by the UVF in the area and included shootings by still-violent republicans and loyalists? 

Intensive face-to-face discussions “involving community leaders, police and senior loyalist and republican representatives” [dissenting ones? – Ed], and the subsequent appointment of an un-named “senior government offical” tasked with identifying “areas of concern”.  From the BBC report

Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness said they have appointed an official to engage urgently with the communities in the Newtownards Road and Short Strand.

“We would ask everyone to give the official the time and space to conduct this work,” they said.

“The official has been asked to bring back a report promptly and make recommendations as to how problems in the area can be addressed.

“By working with local communities and agencies we want to ensure that interface issues are tackled across Belfast.”

There’s a £4million ‘contested space’ programme just waiting for a pilot area…

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