Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Vigil for Pat
Town unites for burglary fall pensioner
THE community of a pensioner left fighting for her life last night stood defiant against the burglars who burst into her home.
Hundreds turned out for a candle-lit vigil in support of 83-year-old Pat Davidson.
The pensioner fractured her skull, spine and pelvis after plunging from a first-floor window when the gang broke into her home in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, at 8.30pm on Tuesday.
Her friend Derek Loane yesterday told the Mirror how friends and family had tried to comfort her before the ambulance arrived to take her to Craigavon Area Hospital.
After gathering in the centre of the village last night the vigil made its way to Mrs Davidson’s Sydney Street home.
Sinn Fein MLA Michelle Gildernew told those present: “Just think how any of us would feel if we chose to jump out of an upstairs window rather than stay and face the people who had broken into your home.
“I remember Dolly Singleton who was robbed a couple of years ago at the top of the town, and the people wouldn’t let her get a drink of water.
“I called to see her afterwards and the priest had said, ‘Where them boys are going Dolly, they will be crying for water for all eternity’.
“The people who did this, whether or not you believe in hell, the people who did this, I imagine if there’s any justice they’ll know what that feels like.
“Somebody knows who did this awful thing to Pat – that person or those people need to come forward with that information.
“The next time it could be your mummy or your granny and we do not want our community to feel terrorised in their own homes.”
Rev Ian Mckee from Aughnacloy Presbyterian Church said his congregation will pray for Mrs Davidson’s full recovery at Sunday service.
He added: “I am doing what I can to pastor both Pat and her family.”
Meanwhile, police are appealing for information on two cars seen in the area after the burglary and a possible link with three other reported burglaries.
DCI John Caldwell said: “We are seeking information about a dark car bearing the registration GK56 AEG, and a silver car, possibly a Ford Focus, reg 06WX 6313.
“We believe at this stage these were both false registration plates.”
Anyone with information should call 101 ex 53135 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.