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Cluan Place is located in east Belfast in an area now known as Short Strand. It has gone into the history books for two reasons. The first being in 1984 when the old houses (built 1800's) where knocked down, and taken to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
The second reason that Cluan Place hit the headlines happened in May/June of 2002. It became in Belfast jargon an "interface area" when PIRA gunmen, an organization on ceasefire opened fire on Cluan Place. In two separate shooting incidents they shot and seriously injured five people including two boys. It quickly became clear that Cluan Place was now part of the wider republican agenda which is called "greening Belfast."
Turning east Belfast green can be traced back to the early days of the troubles. Prior to 1970 in the area between Mountpottinger Road and Templemore Avenue Protestants lived in Harper, Perry, Comber Streets etc. Both communities lived, worked and played side by side. In the latter part of 1969 the Protestant population was forced out of their homes at the point of a gun. They fled their homes with few of their possessions.
In recent years Sinn Fein have been wanted more houses for their community. To expand they needed (their opinion) to force more Protestants out and started attacking homes in Thistle Court and Madrid Street forcing people to leave their homes (again). Because of the intensity of the trouble the authorities decided to put permanent gates up to separate both communities in May 2002. This was not part of the republican agenda i.e. to push the borders up to Templemore Avenue. More votes, more of Belfast green and a direct say into the loyalist parades, which use Templemore Avenue.
Their attention then switched to a quiet cul-de-sac called Cluan Place, which consisted of pensioners, families with small children. Some residents had disabilities. Once the gate went up republicans launched a violent and unprovoked series of attacks consisting of bullets, bombs etc. This resulted in residents being intimidated out of their homes. They were placed in temporary accommodation with many having breakdowns as they were at their wits end. They had lived in the street for years, nothing had ever happened like this before. Being attacked by gunmen was not what they wanted in Cluan Place.
The army erected a 12ft fence on top of the 8ft wall, which separated both communities. The residents were frightened that they to would have to leave their homes, leaving Cluan Place empty for republicans to occupy their homes. The security forces offered little protection. When Cluan Place came under attack they sat in their land rovers while women and children ran from the street, it was and still is - hell. When it is quiet during the day the residents can sleep, they know that the evening will bring, more sleep deprivation - again. The attacks continued and houses where burnt out by republicans, children cried and woman screamed for help. Residents tried to put the fires out, to no avail. The Fire Brigade
would not enter the area due to the ongoing attacks. As Halloween drew closer the republicans threw fireworks with nails attached, acid bombs came over in coffee jars and injured young and old alike. One resident, aged 73, walked out of his home carrying an unexploded pipe bomb, found in his back garden. In the pensioners words "if Sinn Fein state no one in Short Strand is throwing anything over the wall then where the HELL did this come from?"
The reaction in east Belfast to the unprovoked attack was anger. Slogans appeared on walls telling certain residents from Short Strand that they were not welcome. However, for the republican propaganda machine to state that Short Strand is under siege is of course another republican lie. The residents of Short Strand have never been denied access to doctors, chemists, shops or anything else. They have had free and unhindered access to Short Strand.
People in Cluan Place just want a normal life; they want peace and quiet to return, is that too much to ask? Some women started a group to help and support the residents. They stood shoulder to shoulder with the residents and politicians night after night. Cluan Place was the topic of conversation in the shops and bars, some people said knock it down but they forget that Cluan Place is home to people, some have lived there for many years. It is also a part of our history. We are sorry to disappoint those who want us to leave - we are here to stay no matter what the cost.
Going from door to door the same question was asked of every resident, what’s it like to live in Cluan Place? Their reply is, it's every one’s worst nightmare, it's hell. When you go to bed at night it takes a long time to sleep, as you never know when the next missile will land on your roof. The women’s group, acting on behalf of the residents entered into talks with residents from Short Strand at which they denied that anything was thrown from Short Strand into Cluan Place. More attacks followed the meeting. The women’s group has got the Housing Executive to repair some of the damaged homes and these are now occupied.
Listening to the republican media there are no missiles coming from Short Strand into Cluan Place. Why then have 5 people been shot in Cluan Place and two houses burned to the ground? The same cannot be said for Clandeboye Gardens (the other side) - all houses - occupied, no houses burnt out and no shots fired from Cluan Place.
But some day MAYBE JUST MAYBE the world will realise the truth with regard to this small but significant conflict.
No Surrender.
