Girl (11) could have been killed in hate attack blast
Exclusive: man tells how autistic granddaughter was seconds away from explosion
A YOUNG autistic girl could have been killed after two family homes in Armagh city were attacked with explosive devices, her grandfather has said.
Gerald Stevenson (76) said the shrapnel-filled devices were hurled at both his house and that of his daughter Jill (35) — the mother of his 11-year-old granddaughter Eva — on Wednesday.
He said he believes the attacks are part of “an ongoing hate campaign” against his family.
“My little granddaughter could have died on Wednesday evening,” he said.
“It’s only by sheer luck that the worst didn’t happen, but she’s autistic and this has left her extremely traumatised.
“If her mum hadn’t been inside the house on the phone at the time she would have been walking out with Eva and she would have faced the full brunt of the blast.”
AN Armagh pensioner has said his young autistic granddaughter could have been killed after two family homes were callously attacked.
Gerald Stevenson, who is 76, was speaking after “explosive-type devices” were hurled at both his house and that of his daughter Jill (35), the mother of 11-year-old Eva, on Wednesday evening.
Mr Stevenson said he believes the attacks are part of “an ongoing hate campaign” against his family but he added that the latest incidents have taken “this feud” too far.
“My little granddaughter could have died on Wednesday evening,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“It’s only by sheer luck that the worst didn’t happen, but she’s autistic and this has left her extremely traumatised.
“If her mum hadn’t been inside the house on the phone at the time she would have been walking out with Eva and she would have faced the full brunt of the blast.”
Mr Stevenson, a father of seven, said his own bungalow at Lisanally Gardens in Armagh city had sustained broken windows but he and his five sons — Andrew, Nigel, Jonny, Keith and Matthew — were otherwise unharmed.
“I was watching television with my boys when there was a massive bang and shards of glass and other shrapnel started flying everywhere,” he said.
“Fortunately none of us were injured but, as you can imagine, it was very frightening.
“We didn’t know what it was, or what had happened, at first.
“Two of the windows were smashed and the front door was also damaged.”
The widower, whose wife passed away 27 years ago, said the campaign against his family started over a year ago following a dispute over the erection of flags in the area.
He said he was from a mixed marriage but could not say whether the motivation for the attack was sectarian.
“In the past, members of my family have been called monkeys and baboons because we’ve got swarthy skin,” he said.
“We’d got used to that sort of thing but more recently it has been ramped up. We have received bullets in the post — and now this.”
Mr Stevenson said he has been to the doctor suffering from anxiety and stress caused by the ongoing intimidation.
“It’s not as if we’re new to the area,” he said. “I have been living here for the last 30 years.
“After my wife passed away I lived on my own for a while but now because of this so-called feud a lot of my family are back living with me.”
Police said damage had been caused to two properties in Armagh city after “explosive-type devices” were thrown at them.
Inspector Peters added that the attack “could have had tragic consequences” and appealed for anyone with information to contact the PSNI.
“Anyone who either witnessed this incident or who has information please contact 101,” he said.
“Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Mr Stevenson said he was speaking out because he wants “this hate campaign to end now”.
“I don’t know who is behind this but I’m begging them to stop targeting us before a member of my family is killed,” he added.