The chair of a west Belfast homeless centre that was targeted in an attack this week has said they may be forced to leave the area if mediation with local residents is unsuccessful.
Significant damage was caused to the Welcome Organisation building on Townsend Street when a car was rammed through the shutters and set alight shortly after midnight on Monday.
A man in his 40s arrested by police following the incident has since been released on police bail to allow for further enquiries.
Police are also probing menacing graffiti making threats to anyone involved in repairing the damage to the building.
Watch: Car rammed into charity building and set alight in west Belfast
Residents in the area have previously raised concerns over fighting and anti-social behaviour around the centre, with needles and other drugs paraphernalia often discovered in the nearby streets.
The chair of the homeless organisation, Jude Whyte, has said it may be forced to leave the area if outreach attempts to residents are unsuccessful.
“We’ve had 50 years of mayhem, we’re finally getting back to a bit of stability and we now have threats against working men and women going about their business,” he told BBC Evening Extra.
“It’s a pretty dark day for those of us who work in this area of homelessness and addiction. There have been tensions with the local community.
Welcome Organisation Chair Jude Whyte
“I thought because we had met their representatives… but from people contacting me today, I think we have maybe deluded ourselves and I am going to address that over the next few working days.
“There will be no messengers; I’m asking this community to come and meet me. You will get that invite through your door over the weekend because I am personally going to put it through your door.
“I’m going to sit down with you next week and listen to all your concerns and I’m going to tell you honestly, openly, if I can address them.
“You’re going to tell me honestly and openly if you can tolerate our organisation being in your community. If we can’t find agreement, we are going to have to look somewhere else.”
The graffiti appeared on a wall close to the centre warning anyone involved in repairing the building would be shot.
The threats were daubed on a wall in the Divis area of west Belfast in the early hours of Wednesday.
It is understood the wall was sprayed by the INLA in response to the incident on Monday.
Graffiti threatening people working on repairing the centre. Pic: Kevin Scott
The incidents have been roundly condemned by political representatives.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson condemned the attack on the Welcome Centre and the subsequent threats.
“This is an outrageous and mindless attack on a facility which provides help to the homeless,” he said.
“I have visited this centre in the past and can testify to the invaluable work they do for our city and those who, through varied circumstances, find themselves without shelter.
“This threat should be lifted immediately, and the centre should be supported in being able to reopen their doors.”
West Belfast MP Paul Maskey also condemned both incidents.
“The graffiti on the wall is absolutely shocking in my view and it’s totally uncalled for,” he told the BBC.
“The majority of the people in that area will condemn that graffiti because they don’t want to see any attack on any workers because that is completely wrong.”