‘My kids are crying’: list of targeted addresses stokes fears across Belfast

People in city’s minority ethnic communities speak of alarm as violence casts light on racism in Northern Ireland

As widespread violence broke out in Belfast, a list of addresses began circulating on social media. Spread geographically wide, on dozens of streets across the city, the addresses were reportedly houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) where immigrants live.

Joseph and Solomon, both from Eritrea, came to Belfast as refugees, now have leave to remain, and work full-time. They live on the same street as one of the properties on the list, but Joseph thought it was theirs that was meant to be on it. “It’s obviously for us,” he said.