The recent knife attack in Belfast has shocked communities across Ireland. Our thoughts are with the victim and their family, and those responsible must face the full consequences of the law. However, what followed has been deeply disturbing. Organised loyalist elements and far-right agitators have sought to exploit this incident to spread fear and division. Homes have been attacked, businesses targeted, vehicles burned, and migrant families subjected to intimidation and violence.

Reports that lists containing the names and addresses of migrant families are being circulated are particularly alarming. Whatever differences may exist regarding migration policy, there can be no justification for the targeting of families, the circulation of personal details, or threats against individuals and communities. Such actions represent an assault on basic democratic rights and have no place in a civilized society.

The Communist Party of Ireland rejects any attempt to hold an entire community responsible for the actions of an individual. The suspect in this case is an individual and must be dealt with as such. Collective blame, racial scapegoating, and intimidation serve only to deepen division and fear.

We commend the trade unionists, community activists, tenants’ organisations, and local residents who have mobilised to support threatened families and defend their neighbours from intimidation. Their actions demonstrate the solidarity and unity that working-class communities need. The far-right offers no solutions to the problems facing working people. It cannot build homes, improve public services, raise wages, or strengthen communities. Its politics are based on division, setting worker against worker while the real causes of social and economic hardship remain untouched.

The Communist Party of Ireland stands firmly against all acts of racist intimidation and violence. We call on all democratic forces to oppose these attacks and to defend the principles of solidarity, equality, and working-class unity. An injury to one is an injury to all.