Garage owner vows to stay despite second arson attack in weeks
A DEFIANT Co Antrim car mechanic has vowed never to give in to UDA “rats” after his business was attacked for the second time within four weeks.
Joe Dunlop (52) was woken up by the police in the early hours of yesterday morning and informed that six vehicles had been set alight outside Dunlop Motors in Carrickfergus again.
“I didn’t even bother going to see the damage this time,” he said.
“The people doing this are rats who only come out at night and I wasn’t being lured out of my home.”
The same number of vehicles were torched on Halloween night outside Mr Dunlop’s repair shop, which is located just yards away from a petrol forecourt on Woodburn Road.
The married father-of-three said the workshop he set up three decades ago was almost “dead” following the attacks, which could end up costing him £20,000. “They have taken everything, and will come back for more,” he said.
The fed-up garage owner believes he is being targeted by South East Antrim UDA who have bombarded his son with sinister threats for almost two years.
“I’ve been told that if they can’t get him they will come after me — I’ve received two death threats since the first attack and I’m expecting another one very soon,” he said. “I have no doubt that it’s on the way.”
Mr Dunlop said the threats also apply to his wife and two daughters. “The eldest has three kids and has already moved out of Carrick—now she is considering closing her hairdressing business in the town ,” he explained.
“The youngest is studying to be a primary school teacher — they are both petrified and so is my wife.”
The former UDR and RIR soldier said those responsible for the attacks know nothing about serving anyone except themselves.
“I’ve served my Queen and country and this is the thanks I get from people apparently doing the same,” he added.
“I’ve worked here for 30 years, never been involved in anything and never had any bother.
“Now there’s men with crowbars, threats non-stop — it’s p***ing me off, but if you fold even once to these people they think they have power over you.”
Mr Dunlop believes he has no choice but to remain defiant.
“I feel bad for my family who want nothing to do with this, but I’d rather be dead than live under their control,” he said.
A PSNI spokesperson said detectives are investigating a link involving “ongoing tensions” in the Carrickfergus area.