County Antrim Arson Attack Ruined Businessman’s Dream, Triggered By Racial Hate
A businessman’s dream is ruined in the County Antrim arson attack that is assumed by the police to be triggered by racial hate. The pub and restaurant owned by Abjan Acharya are to be closed after the arson attack on Wednesday, 1:50 BST.
The County Antrim restaurant named ‘The Railway Bar and Steam Dining’ located on Ballyclare Road, Newtownabbey was set ablaze on Wednesday with some graffiti on the walls. The graffiti is purely racist and is now investigated by the police.
(Also read: An Arson Attack Was Planned On The Home Of A Prison Officer In Meath)
The restaurant owner said it was “devastating and sad”. He also added that he was “heartbroken and scared now”.
The restaurant’s owner, who has made significant financial investments in it, opened its doors in March. The arson attack seems purely to be based on the “colour of the skin but they need to understand we are trying to establish a business, trying to feed our staff and their families”, the businessman explained.
The entrepreneur, Mr Acharya came to Northern Ireland in 2006. He came from Nepal to build his dreams in another country and gained great support from the community back then.
It was at that time that he felt safe and never felt that his business could be under any racial threat. The business’s Facebook page now announces the restaurant’s closing.
His sad details about the closure mentioned that he never thought that being born into a Hindu family as a young Nepalese-British individual would create problems in his life and business. He also stated that he was raised and gained education in Belfast but his skin colour and religion still remained reasons for hate and resulted in such an arson attack.
He felt miserable saying that once the community that was an emblem of peace and friendship had now become the target of organised hate and enmity.
Outlook of County Antrim’s authorities
The councillor of Alliance Party in County Antrim and Newtownabbey, Lewis Boyle, said that the attack was a “heinous racist incident”. He clarified that the person committing such a vicious crime has no support from the authorities and that he has no “regard for human life”.
The councillor ensured that foreign cuisine gives colours to Northern Ireland and brings versatility. He was unable to decipher where such hateful motivations originate from, especially when they are racist.
Democratic Unionist Party’s Pam Cameron openly denounced the arson attack, saying “It’s not representative of Northern Ireland or the people of south Antrim”.
She welcomed everyone who chose to come here to make their lives and condemned the perpetrators who are ruining everything for common people.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Belfast North, John Finucane, said that the attack was “sickening and deplorable”. He strongly shunned such acts as the businesses in County Antrim are just for serving the community and giving employment to people. He said that the attack is totally “unacceptable” and the way it is used for racial targeting.
Mr Finucane also cited that these violent acts are only infused with racial hate and discrimination, which are not part of Ireland’s society. He assured that Ireland would remain an “inclusive and forward-looking society”.
Anyone with information on the incident’s evidence is being sought by the local police. Any relevant information is invited by the police so that detailed investigations are initiated as soon as possible.
