Nurses have been left “absolutely terrified” after ethnic minority workers were targeted in suspected racist attacks during riots in Belfast.
Police are ramping up patrols around hospitals after a nurse was “chased and intimidated” by four masked men as she arrived for work at Ulster Hospital on Wednesday in the second day of violent disorder.
Care workers and nurses have also been taken off shift after windows were broken at private home care service Connect Health in the violent clashes which erupted following a knife attack on Monday.
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn condemned the disorder, which has seen homes and cars set alight in two nights of shocking violence, as “racist thuggery”.
“Thugs burning people out of their homes because of the colour of their skin. This is not what Northern Ireland is about,” he said.
Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Jon Burrows, said people who chase and intimidate nurses are “the scum of the earth”.
“If they think they are patriots by pursuing and intimidating the people who are caring for our own citizens, they are traitors to our country,” he said at Stormont.
“When the police get hold of them, they should arrest them, they should charge them, they should remand them and the judge should give them an exemplary sentence.”
Rita Devlin, the head of the Royal College of Nurses Northern Ireland, hit out at the attacks on internationally educated nurses “who we rely on absolutely to keep our services going”.
“There’s no doubt that they are absolutely terrified at the minute,” she told Times Radio, adding that there is no doubt they are being targeted because of the colour of their skin.
Patricia McKeown, regional secretary of Unison NI, said many other minority ethnicity workers in public services had been subjected to threats. She said the nurse who was chased still insisted on working her shift and has since been found alternative accommodation.
“This is happening to anyone, whether they be nurses or social care workers or working in factories, or living with families across Northern Ireland,” she added.
“Everyone has been targeted who has a different skin colour or who comes from overseas, and there is no excuse for any of this, this is racism pure and simple.”
Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson said officers would return to the streets in “bolstered” numbers on Thursday as he slammed the “disgraceful” intimidation of healthcare workers.
A total of 12 officers were injured after balaclava-clad crowds hurled bricks and petrol bombs at police who responded with water cannons in Glengormley in Newtownabbey, northwest Belfast, on Wednesday.
Hundreds of extra officers have been drafted in from the northeast and northwest of England in preparation for further clashes on Thursday. He warned: “This violent behaviour by a thuggish minority will not be tolerated.”
Mr Henderson told a press conference in Belfast: “I want to turn next to the disgraceful threats and intimidation directed to our nurses, doctors, carers, and healthcare staff, men and women who work every day to save lives and care for our sick relatives, they are the backbone of our public service.
“They are caring for our families, our friends and our loved ones. We are here to support them in the same way they support us.
“Tonight, we will be increasing our patrols of key areas. I have been talking to colleagues within health trusts and others to hear their concerns about their staff welfare.”
He added: “The streets of Northern Ireland need to return to calm and order. Our children need to feel safe returning to their schools. Businesses need to feel they could open their doors. Everyone with influence needs to do all in their power to get the thugs off our streets.”
Clashes have continued despite a plea for calm from the stabbing victim. The family of Stephen Ogilvie, who lost an eye in Monday’s attack, condemned the second night of violence and said they were “disgusted” by the response.
Suspect Hadi Alodid, a Sudanese national, appeared at Belfast magistrates’ court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.
In a statement, Mr Ogilvie’s family added: “We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including in our healthcare system and hospitality sector, and we depend on them to make our country work. We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson later said the victim’s condition was “improving” and that he could be released from a coma within the next 48 hours.
The South Eastern Trust, which runs the hospital where the nurse was chased by masked men, commended her for finishing her shift.
“We utterly condemn this racist attack,” it said in a statement. “This nurse bravely insisted on remaining in the Ulster Hospital to care for the most vulnerable in our community.
“Her behaviour is in stark contrast to the behaviour of the people who terrified her as she tried to do her job.”
Northern Ireland’s health minister Mike Nesbitt revealed fire crews were also attacked as they tried to respond to blazes during the disorder. He paid tribute to the bravery of first responders.
“Time and time again, I am humbled by the way they step up to serve their communities, even where, as was sadly the case the past couple of nights, this puts them in harm’s way,” he said.
The minister also reassured health and social care (HSC) workers, adding: “I want to show my support to the many international workers who are vital and provide an invaluable contribution to their patients and the wider community. Without them, the HSC system would undoubtedly collapse.
“People should be entitled to live and work in peace, free from harm and intimidation, and I stand against this reprehensible racist and xenophobic behaviour.”
He said they deserve nothing but our “utmost gratitude” and warned that preventing them from attending work would have “real consequences” for healthcare service delivery.
