‘Senseless and abhorrent’: UUP Councillor Alan Barr condemns hate crime attack in Broughshane

The home in Broughshane boarded up following the incident, and (inset) Braid UUP councillor Alan Barr

An attack on the home of two Indian men living in Broughshane is being investigated as a racially motivated hate crime, prompting condemnation from political representatives and concern across the local community.

Police were called to a property on Main Street in the village after all front windows were smashed and the front door was broken during an incident at around 11.45pm on Wednesday night, January 28.

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Braid councillor Alan Barr described the attack as “senseless and abhorrent”, saying those responsible should reflect on the positive contribution made by people from India to society in Northern Ireland.

“I totally condemn the senseless and abhorrent attack on the home of two Indian friends in Broughshane,” he said.

“People from India contribute immensely to our society. They work hard as nurses, doctors, carers and in other industries. They are certainly not on the benefit bandwagon.”

Councillor Barr also referenced the historical contribution of Indian soldiers to Britain’s war efforts.

“As a history lesson to those who carried out this attack: the grandparents and great grandparents of those who were attacked were of a generation who fought and died for the British Empire in two world wars,” he added.

“The British Indian Army served in all theatres of these wars… many suffered immensely as prisoners of war.”

He said he hoped the incident would mark “the end of such mindless attacks” and that immigrants who come to Northern Ireland to work and contribute would be able to live “without fear”.

‘Glass exploded around me’

The two men, aged 27 and 24, have been living and working in Northern Ireland for several years and moved to Broughshane around six months ago for work. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, one of the men, who did not wish to be named, described the terrifying moment he woke to the sound of smashing glass.

“I’d gone off to bed happy, as Liverpool had won,” he said. “But I woke up when I heard glass smashing. At first I thought it was outside in the street, but there was another smash quickly afterwards and I realised it was our windows.

“I managed to pull the covers over my head just before the window of my room came in over me.”

He said the attackers then destroyed the front door and appeared to have used “a hammer or a bat”, adding that there were no signs of stones or bricks being thrown.

“I was scared they were going to come into the house, but it was all over very quickly,” he said.

At the time of the attack, the house was occupied by four people, including one of the men’s girlfriends and his friend’s brother. No one was injured.

‘We’re here to work and build a life’

The men said they keep long working hours and had little interaction with others in the village.

“We get up and start work at 6am and are not usually home until 8pm,” the 27-year-old said.

“We’re quiet, we’ve always kept to ourselves and never caused anyone any trouble. I’m surprised anyone actually knew we were here.”

Despite the shock of the attack, both men said they intend to stay in Northern Ireland.

“We came here because we knew there was a strong Indian community in NI and people always spoke highly of how they had been received,” he added.

“We’ve loved being here in Broughshane. Until now, it has been a lovely, quiet village.”

His friend, 24, who works for the same local company, said he had been in the bathroom getting ready for bed when the windows were smashed.

“We’re like brothers,” he said.

“We work together, we live together and we’ll look out for each other. People have told us today that we don’t have to run away — and we won’t.”

He said the incident had left them shaken but determined to continue their lives.

“We’ll be back at work tomorrow. That’s why we’re here — to make a better life for ourselves and our families.”

The men also expressed concern that they may have been targeted simply because of their appearance.

“I don’t know if people just see the colour of your skin and not who you are as a person,” he said.

Police appeal

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed the incident is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime.

“Police are investigating after a number of windows were smashed at a house in the Main Street area of Broughshane around 11.45pm on Wednesday, January 28,” a spokesperson said.

“Enquiries are ongoing and the matter is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 31 of 29/01/26.

“Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/“