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Sunday World editor, Jim McDowell, attacked in Belfast

Thursday, 26 November 2009

Jim McDowell: Crusading journalist hated by thugs exposed in his stories

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One of Northern Ireland’s best-known journalists has been given a savage beating just yards from the front door of Belfast City Hall.

Jim McDowell, northern editor of Dublin-based Sunday World, suffered severe cuts and bruising to his head and body after being punched and kicked to the ground by four men yesterday evening.

The 60-year-old ex-rugby player and boxer believes drug dealers were behind the brutal attack which happened during a visit to the Continental Market.

“They came at me from behind — they didn’t even take me face on. I was trying to get up and they beat me back three times. There is a mark from the heel of a boot on the back of my head.

“I was 15 metres from the front steps of Belfast City Hall when I heard a guy say ‘you got my brother killed’ or ‘you are trying to get my brother killed’.

“Then he came from behind and smashed up my right ear. There were people all over the place, the market was full. I was hit from behind on the right hand side of the face and before I could turn around someone came in from the left. I tried to get round but there were four of them and they all started on me.

“They were hitting me hard. The sorest part of me now is my elbow, because I had to put my hand over my head to protect it,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

Mr McDowell did not require hospital treatment.

During the Troubles Mr McDowell received numerous threats to his life from loyalist and republican paramilitaries and in 1999 his city centre offices were firebombed.

The attack comes less than a fortnight after his car was vandalised as he attended a hearing at Craigavon Courthouse involving men charged in connection with the murder of Martin O'Hagan, a Sunday World reporter shot dead by the LVF in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in September 2001.

Branding the gang who assaulted him last night as “cowards”, Mr McDowell insisted he would not be intimidated.

He said: “The audacity of these thugs, to think they they can just do that to anybody 15 metres from the door of Belfast City Hall.

“These people who are poisoning our society and young people with drugs think they can get away with anything, but they won’t. I’ll pursue this until I can see them behind bars.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on Lisburn Road on 0845 600 8000. Information can also be passed anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.

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45 Comments

How are we supposed to feel secure in Belfast when thugs can do this outside the city Hall and walk away? What message does this send out to other scumbags? They can get away with it. Disgusting.

Something wrong here ladies and gentlemen.

These guys shoulda been hammered into the back of a police car and penalised with a prison sentence - sinple as that.

Posted by Joe | 28.11.09, 15:59 GMT

Jim will never back down to the scum in NI who think they have a God given right to treat decent people like dirt and sponge off society. Speedy recovery Big Jim, don't let the bastards wear you down.

Seamus

Posted by Seamus | 28.11.09, 06:37 GMT

God bless you Jim and never give up
only people like yourself will stop the rot
get well soon big man

Posted by kevin | 28.11.09, 06:21 GMT

I am astounded that hacks jump to defend him when most of you probably don't read his paper and have very substantial reasons for not doing so.

This piece is without balance

Posted by Paul | 27.11.09, 17:08 GMT

Get better soon Jim. I'm guessing the reason why other people didn't intervene and help is cos in this mad country of over equality, it is the doo gooder who would end up in court for attacking a minority group (of low life nobodies).

Posted by Belfast Citizen | 27.11.09, 14:24 GMT

More police on the beat!

Posted by RMS | 27.11.09, 13:31 GMT

Jim, as always you have the courage to stand up to thugs & let the public know what is really going on in Belfast & they don't like it.
I sure I speak on behalf of 'Tankards' old & new and wish you a speedy recovery.

Front studs as always, big lad!

Posted by Red Sox | 27.11.09, 12:50 GMT

"He sets a fearless example of a true investigative journalist"

The case that Hugh Orde recently brought against his newspaper would suggest otherwise.

Posted by terry | 27.11.09, 11:52 GMT

Citizen, that's a bit of a bizarre statement that you don't 'condone journalists'. Bit of a blanket statement don't you think? I assume you mean the small number of journalists who print things you don't agree with and not free speech itself. Presumably you also don't mean those thousands of writers worldwide who fearlessly (and in full knowledge of the fact that they could be killed) put their names to articles condemning fascists, racists and murderers. These are people who are prepared to lay down their lives in defence of the rights of their fellow man. Or do you think they just do it for kicks? You seem to have missed the irony that your own comments are published on this website (and under a pseudenom) right beside the words of one of the journalists you disdain. There are good and bad reporters, true, but their work and existence is the very thing that allows you to have your say here. Perhaps you should have another wee think before you make such silly statements.

Posted by Graham Smyth | 27.11.09, 11:51 GMT

Jim is a proud and courageous man and I and many victims of the Omagh Bomb are proud to be counted amoungst his many friends.

Posted by Victor Barker | 27.11.09, 11:27 GMT

Shame on any of you who saw this happen in front of you and did not go to help. I can guarantee you I would have.

All it takes for evil to prosper is for decent people to stand idly by.

Posted by BenjiBear | 27.11.09, 11:14 GMT

It was pure badness on the part of the people who did this of that there is no doubt. This gentleman did not deserve it. Having said that, from personal experience, journalists can print what ever they want. I will never condone violence but also will I never condone journalists - who lets face it have at least the means to hi-light their plight, not so some of the people they write about.

Posted by Citizen | 27.11.09, 10:36 GMT

Does not surprise me that this happens in Belfast in broad day light. I mean the police are only about when it suits them. And the public are only too aware that to get involved is not worth it.

Posted by what comes around goes around | 27.11.09, 09:47 GMT

I got jumped when i was 16 one summer in 2006 at around 7 o'clock after the cinema, Dublin Road, just a bit on down. Towards city hall, in daylight. A group of around 7 - 10, girls and boys, for no particular reason, were looking for a fight. Approached us as we walked, pushing and starting to mouth. Shortly after that they began kicking and throwing punches before i knew it i'd had a good bit of hair ripped out. Plus whatever change that fell out of my pocket. Pathetic lol. Then dragged across the road, some drivers stopped and helped. He took us to the train station, and gave me money for my fare home, then walked my girlfriend at the time to her bus stop. What a nice man. Never reported it though, didn't figure it would do anything. I wasn't supposed to be in Belfast..as i don't live there.
At least someone helped me.
Get well soon Jim.

Posted by justagirl. | 27.11.09, 02:14 GMT

Good Luck Jim! Get well soon.

Your attackers are pure scum. Nazis! Loyal to nothing but themselves. Criminal Mafia, they are pathetic specimens and they know it.

Posted by Cliff | 26.11.09, 23:40 GMT

And where were the Police? Surprised they weren't immediately on hand given the amount of food they could get at the market. Or maybe they thought the thugs were armed and they sloped back to the police station to wait for back-up. Hope Jim is over the pain and shock soon.

Posted by Bob | 26.11.09, 21:29 GMT

Jim, you're not just a brave face, but a journalist who is sadly no stranger to this type of violence. Seems only journalists put their names online. Have a good recovery and hope to see you around in 2010 and before/beyond. Courage wins!
David Watson

Posted by David Watson | 26.11.09, 21:03 GMT

Why do these thugs think they can get away with it? Oh yes, its because they do! One of the main reasons they get away with it, is because many of you, yes you: are more interested in sectarian point scoring, rather than fixing the problem and standing up to the thugs.
It does not matter what affiliation the thugs have, all that matters is that they are causing serious harm to your country.

Posted by Stuart McCarroll | 26.11.09, 18:05 GMT

get well soon jim! please remember that belfast is not controlled by the psni. if you are in any doubt, say the wrong thing to the wrong people and watch them do their crimes in broad daylight and in front of everyone. had these thugs ben doing 35mph in a thirty zone, they would have been caught.

lord help ireland, no one else will

Posted by peter | 26.11.09, 17:17 GMT