8 April 1999 Edition
Garvaghy councillor's son attacked
The son of Garvaghy Road councillor Joe Duffy sustained a broken jaw, eye injuries and severe bruising after being attacked by loyalists who were part of a mob that invaded the Obins Street area of Portadown.
The incident occurred on Monday night, 6 April, after the latest loyalist parade in the town had broken up. At about 6pm, a crowd of loyalists entered the nationalist Obins Street area and began breaking the windows of Catholic homes.
Local people came to the scene, challenged the loyalists, and forced them out of the area. It was while chasing the loyalist mob that Joe Duffy's son was injured.
He fell at McGowan Buildings car park, which is at the bottom of Obins Street, and was then set upon by the loyalist mob resulting in him being rushed to hospital.
Speaking to An Phoblacht, Councillor Duffy, who also speaks on behalf of the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition, said that the attack ``came as no surprise given the continuing siege of the area.
``These constant Orange Order marches are fuelling an already inflamed situation. The consequences could have more serious, given the viciousness of previous loyalist attacks in this town. We only have to remember Robert Hamill''.
The incident occurred on Monday night, 6 April, after the latest loyalist parade in the town had broken up. At about 6pm, a crowd of loyalists entered the nationalist Obins Street area and began breaking the windows of Catholic homes.
Local people came to the scene, challenged the loyalists, and forced them out of the area. It was while chasing the loyalist mob that Joe Duffy's son was injured.
He fell at McGowan Buildings car park, which is at the bottom of Obins Street, and was then set upon by the loyalist mob resulting in him being rushed to hospital.
Speaking to An Phoblacht, Councillor Duffy, who also speaks on behalf of the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition, said that the attack ``came as no surprise given the continuing siege of the area.
``These constant Orange Order marches are fuelling an already inflamed situation. The consequences could have more serious, given the viciousness of previous loyalist attacks in this town. We only have to remember Robert Hamill''.