‘Disgusting and dangerous’ arson attack on cars in Newry slammed
AN arson attack on a spate of cars — including a vehicle belonging to a heavily pregnant woman — in Newry has been condemned as “disgusting and dangerous”.
The vehicles were targeted in the Derrybeg area around midnight last Sunday.
Sinn Fein MLA Liz Kimmins said yesterday that the incident has left the “close-knit community” in “total shock”, stressing it was fortunate no one had been injured in the attack.
“I condemn last night’s arson attack which saw a number of cars burned, including that of a heavily pregnant woman, which has caused her and her husband huge stress,” said the Newry and Armagh representative.
“My colleague, Councillor Charlie Casey, and I have spoken with a couple who had their car and work van burned in this incident and were extremely shook up.”
She added: “We are very lucky that no one was seriously injured or worse in this very dangerous incident as the work van contained highly flammable products which if ignited could potentially have caused an explosion.
“The wider implications of this attack are the fear and anxiety caused to the victims and the Derrybeg community, as well as the negative impact on people’s livelihoods.”
The MLA insisted with the Covid crisis impacting on hospital services, this had been another unwelcome incident for our emergency services at a time of acute pressure.
“Over the weekend we saw the stark images which demonstrated the severe pressure our local hospital, Daisy Hill and our emergency services are under and this anti-community behaviour further compounds this,” she explained.
“I have emphasised to the PSNI the need for a strong, proactive response in dealing with this and would urge anyone with any information relating to this to contact the PSNI.”
Meanwhile, police are investigating reports of shots fired on Sunday night in the Ballymagroarty area of Londonderry.
It comes as a video was circulated on social media showing a masked man, armed with a pistol, firing shots into the air.
The gunman was flanked by other males believed to be members of the INLA’S Derry brigade holding flags before the shots rang out.
Shortly after the incident, residents took to social media to report how PSNI armed response officers had arrived in the area.
A short time later police were alerted to a suspicious object in the Racecourse Road area of the City.
The road was closed overnight as a major security operation was put in place. The object was later declared an elaborate hoax.
Police have linked the security alert to the hijacking of a silver-coloured Mitsubishi Outlander on Ballyarnett Road at around 9.30pm.
The incidents come following a week of unrest in the north west. Last week two cars were set alight and two men shot during separate incidents linked to the New IRA’S Derry brigade.
Foyle SDLP MP Colum Eastwood condemned last week’s incidents. A police spokesperson added: “Police are aware of a social media post showing a video of a masked man firing a volley of shots, and are making enquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 and quote reference number 102 of 11/01/21
The PSNI has said anyone with information on the Newry attack should contact officers on 101.