In a joint statement following the attacks on the Glens chapel and on the chapel in Bushmills, SDLP North Antrim MLA and Moyle Councillors Madeline Black, Orla Black and Catherine McCambridge said:
“These despicable attacks on chapels that are easy targets amount to an attack on the whole Catholic community in the areas they serve. Places of worship should be sacred but unfortunately all too often they are the chosen targets of the bigots in our society.
“These and other attacks on community property such as Orange halls can only have the effect of inflaming community tensions and can undermine efforts to promote better community relations.
“We call on anyone who has information leading to the arrest of those responsible to pass that information to the PSNI.
“We also call on all political and community leaders to use whatever influence they may have to help prevent such attacks.
“These attacks cannot be allowed to prevent or put barriers in the way of the very good work that is being undertaken in many parts of North Antrim to promote and develop community relations. We hope this work will continue with even greater determination to succeed.”