Sharon Loughran, a first-time election candidate in Newry, has been the victim of a sectarian attack on her home. Two men were caught on her home security CCTV in the early hours of Monday spray-painting ‘Aontu IRA out’ and ‘UDA’ on the walls and pillar of her home. Loughran’s alleged ‘crime’, which attracted the attention of a hate mob, is her decision to stand in the upcoming election to fight for better hospital services for all the community through her chosen party, Aontú. The attackers mistakenly believed that the party was linked to the IRA. Despite the attack, Loughran is determined to “not be intimidated” and continues to campaign for Daisy Hill Hospital. This is one of several attacks reported by election candidates, with the backdrop of a missing Stormont Assembly creating an uncertain atmosphere.
