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The home of the mother of Northern Ireland and Fulham footballer Chris Baird has been attacked in Rasharkin, County Antrim.
A petrol bomb was thrown at the front window of the house in Wallace Park at 0345 BST on Sunday. The flames were extinguished by a passer-by.
A number of people inside escaped injury. Police said a sectarian motive was one line of enquiry.
It is understood to be the second attack on the house in three weeks.
Daithi McKay of Sinn Fein described the incident as a case of "attempted murder".
"It is quite clear they are being targeted because they are a Catholic family," he said.
"The family are not involved in anything political.
"People are shocked and very angry that they have been singled out."
Mervyn Storey of the Democratic Unionist Party condemned what he said was a "despicable attack".
"Yet again we have another family subjected to sectarian hatred and unfortunately the reality is that since April of this year we have had something like 16 sectarian attacks in Rasharkin and 25 since the beginning of the year," he added.
"It is a hate crime.
"It is someone venting their hatred and their anger for whatever reason on someone who should not be attacked in this way."
Mr Storey said he would be meeting with the Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Matt Baggott to ensure there were "adequate resources" to deal with such incidents.
Captain
Baird has captained Northern Ireland in the past, and was first given the role against Liechtenstein in August 2007.
He plays for Fulham in the English Premiership, and signed a new three year contract with the London club last week.
The 28-year-old arrived from Southampton in July 2007 and was a key part of the Fulham team that reached the Europa League final in May.
Baird started his career at Ballymena United before joining Southampton's youth academy in 1998 and made his first team debut in March 2003.
He joined Fulham for £3m and was signed by then manager, the former Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez.
He has won more than 40 international caps and played in the Northern Ireland team which secured a 1-0 win in Slovenia in their Euro 2012 qualifier on 3 September.
BBC News - Home of Chris Baird's mum is attacked in Rasharkin
A petrol bomb was thrown at the front window of the house in Wallace Park at 0345 BST on Sunday. The flames were extinguished by a passer-by.
A number of people inside escaped injury. Police said a sectarian motive was one line of enquiry.
It is understood to be the second attack on the house in three weeks.
Daithi McKay of Sinn Fein described the incident as a case of "attempted murder".
"It is quite clear they are being targeted because they are a Catholic family," he said.
"The family are not involved in anything political.
"People are shocked and very angry that they have been singled out."
Mervyn Storey of the Democratic Unionist Party condemned what he said was a "despicable attack".
"Yet again we have another family subjected to sectarian hatred and unfortunately the reality is that since April of this year we have had something like 16 sectarian attacks in Rasharkin and 25 since the beginning of the year," he added.
"It is a hate crime.
"It is someone venting their hatred and their anger for whatever reason on someone who should not be attacked in this way."
Mr Storey said he would be meeting with the Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Matt Baggott to ensure there were "adequate resources" to deal with such incidents.
Captain
Baird has captained Northern Ireland in the past, and was first given the role against Liechtenstein in August 2007.
He plays for Fulham in the English Premiership, and signed a new three year contract with the London club last week.
The 28-year-old arrived from Southampton in July 2007 and was a key part of the Fulham team that reached the Europa League final in May.
Baird started his career at Ballymena United before joining Southampton's youth academy in 1998 and made his first team debut in March 2003.
He joined Fulham for £3m and was signed by then manager, the former Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez.
He has won more than 40 international caps and played in the Northern Ireland team which secured a 1-0 win in Slovenia in their Euro 2012 qualifier on 3 September.
BBC News - Home of Chris Baird's mum is attacked in Rasharkin