Teen,17, arrested in drill attack horror
COPS ARREST TEENAGER OVER BRUTAL ATTACK »Victim left critically ill with serious head injuries »Appeal after ‘well-liked’ woman assaulted in street
A MOTHER suffered serious head injuries after being targeted in a horrifying drill attack yesterday.
A 17-year-old male was arrested by police who are investigating a possible homophobic motive for the assault.
The victim, 38, is believed to have been pinned down by her attacker who drilled into her head with a cordless device.
A source said: “Whoever did this is a dangerous and sick individual who appears to get something out of brutalising another human being.”
The woman was alone in Railway Street, Strabane, Co Tyrone, when she was set upon.
The crime scene was sealed off by police yesterday morning but the victim’s blood was still visible on the footpath and road.
After the cordon was lifted, a council worker had the gruesome job of washing and brushing away the woman’s blood before the street reopened.
Police are probing a potential homophobic motive for the assault but locals who know the victim have said this is not the case.
They described her as “quiet and well-liked”.
It is understood she had been socialising at Ruby’s nightclub on Railway Street before leaving to make her way home.
Witnesses ran to her aid after finding her on the ground.
She was taken by ambulance to hospital and her injuries were deemed so severe by doctors that the woman’s relatives were contacted in case she passed away.
A source said: “She remains critically ill but it was touch and go overnight as
It’s like a script for a horror movie but sadly this is all too real. It was sickening
DANIEL MCCROSSAN, RIGHT, YESTERDAY
to whether she would survive long enough for her loved ones to reach the hospital.
“Thankfully she is now stable although her condition is critical.”
The PSNI is seeking witnesses and urging anyone who was in Strabane late on Friday night and early yesterday to check their dashcams and mobile phones for footage that could help the investigation.
The woman was assaulted at around 2am in what police described as a “brutal attack”.
Det Sgt Brian Reid said: “The injuries sustained by the victim are extremely grave.
“We are exploring a possible homophobic motive for the crime and we are appealing for witnesses to get in touch with us.
“We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a male carrying a drill in the area at around the time of the assault.
“We would especially like to speak to anyone who may have captured footage, either on mobile phone or dashcam.”
SDLP Assembly member Daniel Mccrossan said he was shocked by the severity of the attack.
He added: “It is sickening that anyone could inflict these sort of injuries on another human being. I have never heard anything like it.
“It’s like a script for a horror movie but sadly this is all too real. It happened in our community, it happened to one of us.
“I am absolutely horrified. This kind of sickening behaviour has no place in society.
“I would urge the community to give the PSNI the space they need to carry out their investigation swiftly and thoroughly.
“I would also appeal to anyone who may have information about this assault to contact Crimestoppers immediately. My thoughts are with the victim and her family.”
Police asked the public to contact them confidentially through the independent charity.
DS Reid added: “Anyone with such footage or any other information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police in Strabane on 101, quoting reference number 153 05/05/18.
“Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100 per cent anonymous and gives people
the power to speak up and stop crime.” Traffic was disrupted in Strabane as police continued their investigation.
Alliance representative Stephen Donnelly hit out at the assault.
He said: “I absolutely condemn this attack, which has shocked the entire community in Strabane and further afield.
“My thoughts are with the injured woman and I hope she makes a full recovery.
“It is beyond me what could possess a person to carry out an attack such as this.
“If anyone has any information on this matter, I urge them to take it to the police immediately.”
A teenage male suspect detained by police a short distance from the scene remains in custody.