Pipe bombers don't care who gets hurt

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The house targeted in Saturday night's attack

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Cerebral palsy boy and pensioner with dementia are bombers' latest victims

Monday, September 03, 2007

By Claire McNeilly

A west Belfast family has said that they feared for their safety after a seven-year-old boy with cerebral palsy was badly injured in a pipe bomb attack.

The child was asleep in the living room of his father's girlfriend's house at Oakvale Gardens, Dunmurry, when the blast occurred around 11pm on Saturday.

He was later taken to hospital suffering from bleeding ears, cuts and bruises, but his family have said that his injuries could have been much worse.

A 79-year-old woman, who has dementia, was also asleep in a downstairs bedroom. She was unhurt, but remains in a state of shock after the vicious attack.

The boy's father and girlfriend, who were watching TV upstairs, escaped injury.

Everyone involved in the incident was too distressed to talk and both families requested anonymity for security reasons.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, local Sinn Fein councillor Angela Nelson, who visited the victims, said it was lucky no-one was killed.

"That wee boy could have been killed," she said.

"If the child had been asleep on the settee at the window and not the one on the other side of the room, he would have been seriously hurt.

"The petrol bomb went through the sofa and came out the other side. The window came in. The wee boy was covered in glass. Cushions were ripped apart. "

There was extensive damage caused to the front of the house and the living room, including holes in the wall and roof.

A neighbouring house and a number of cars in the area were also damaged.

Throughout yesterday, family, friends and neighbours called at the house to offer encouragement and support.

SDLP councillor Matthew McDermott, who also visited their home, said the family were very shaken up.

"This was malicious attack," he said.

"They have no idea who could be behind the attack, or why anyone would do something like this.

"They are very worried about their safety. They have considered leaving the area, but they probably won't. The neighbours have been rallying around, offering support."

Mr McDermott added: "Those who make and use pipe bombs are dangerous and these types of attacks need to be stamped out."

Detectives said they were investigating a number of lines of enquiry but had ruled out sectarianism.

Just five days ago, an 18 day old baby was almost killed during a petrol bomb incident in north Belfast.

Last Wednesday night petrol bombs were thrown at the house in Twaddell Avenue home, as well as a neighbour's house, by a group of youths.

Anyone who witnessed the attack in Dunmurry, or anyone with information, is asked to contact police on 0845 600 8000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.