Following the intimidation of more than 100 Romanian immigrants in south Belfast, Lesley-Anne Henry spent the day observing a scene that has brought shame to Northern Ireland

They came to Northern Ireland desperately seeking a better life.

But now dozens of Romanian families who set up home in Belfast are desperate to flee those new lives.

At the City Church on University Avenue where they had spent the night sleeping in a hall, there were chaotic scenes as the 115 people packed up their belongings and piled on to two coaches in the pouring rain.

Church members including pastor Malcom Morgan and his wife Trish were torn between trying to comfort the frightened refugees and fend off the scores of reporters and photographers who had descended on the area from dawn. British Red Cross workers, Belfast City Council representatives and a steady stream of other officials also arrived at the church to offer their services.

Just after 8am the Romanians were transported to a Belfast leisure complex where food and other provisions were offered. They were ushered out of the media spotlight into a hall which had been decked out with mattresses and few ventured outside those four walls where media crews from across the UK had gathered.

At lunchtime another bus load of refugees arrived. And one woman, carrying a baby in her arms told, in Spanish, of her wish to return to Romania as soon as possible.

Among those who spent the day at the leisure centre a range of emotions was on display. Some were angry, others tearful but all had the pain and trauma of the past week etched on their faces.

A raft politicians including the Deputy First Minister, Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie, senior police officers, ethnic minority workers and outraged south Belfast residents came to the sports centre to show their support.

All spoke of deep shame, regret and promised to do everything they could to help. But for the bemused Romanians there was little anyone could say to ease their heartache.

The racist attacks have been blamed on loyalist and at one point UDA boss Jackie McDonald offered his help. He was swiftly turned away by a police guard at the door but told reporters he was working to discourage those behind the attacks.

“We're trying to talk to young people to encourage them not to do what they are doing,” he said.

But there may be some hope. After the rawness of last night’s events calms down.

One man , a father-of-one who has been in Belfast for eight months, said he was determined the thugs would not drive him out and hoped to give the city another chance.

“I love Belfast. I have a job. No money in Romania,” he said.