A Newry election candidate has hit out at those who daubed graffiti linking her party to the IRA on her house, with police treating the incident as a hate crime.
Sharon Loughran is standing for Aontú in the Newry, Mourne & Down district in the upcoming council elections next month.
Her home was targeted with graffiti saying "Aontú IRA out" while "UDA" was also painted on the gate pillars of the house.
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"This has come as a massive shock to me," Ms Loughran said.
"It is an attack on my home and it is a violation. As a result it as created significant stress.
"It makes no sense what so ever. I am an paediatric A&E nurse in Daisy Hill Hospital and I decided to run for council to campaign to save key surgery services at the hospital.
"In my work as an paediatric A&E nurse I work for everyone in the community."
Ms Loughran said she had reported the incident to the PSNI and said it would not deter her from speaking out on matters she was passionate about.
She also said it was wrong to link her party to an organisation like the IRA, when the party was only recently formed and also had former members of other parties in Northern Ireland.
"That this type of intimidation is happening in 2023 is incredible," she added.
"That we have a never ending political vacuum at Stormont is in no doubt not helping the development of good community relationships.
"Newry is a great town and the vast majority of people no matter what their background is would have no tolerance for this type of sectarian intimidation.
"I will not be intimidated, I will not be moved in my fight for Daisy Hill Hospital."
The PSNI said it was aware of the vandalism and that it was looking into the matter.
"Police are investigating a report of criminal damage outside a house in the Damolly area of Newry," a spokesperson said.
"The report was received on Monday 17 April that graffiti had been sprayed on walls sometime from Sunday night, 16 April.
"Enquiries into the incident, which is being treated as a hate crime, are ongoing.
"Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area, or who has any information which could assist, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 402 17/04/23."
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD said: "This is a shocking effort to intimidate a community activist out of running for council.
"It's an attack on the democratic process. It's especially mind boggling given that Sharon’s work has always been to help both communities."
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