2 August 2001 Edition
Girl guides flee camp
A group of girl guides on a camping weekend to Gosford Forest Park in County Down were attacked by a man and a teenager, who hurled missiles and shouted sectarian abuse at them.
Six girl guides, aged between 11 and 13, and their two leaders were forced to abandon the outing after just ten hours in fear of their lives.
One of the guide leaders said the attackers were friendly at first, even offering advice and borrowing a saw, but their attitude changed when they discovered the religion of the guides. At one point, the older man threatened to stab one of the teenage guide leaders, forcing those in charge to usher the younger children into a toilet block for safety.
The man then threatened to bring back others and warned the guide leader she would be shot.
Six girl guides, aged between 11 and 13, and their two leaders were forced to abandon the outing after just ten hours in fear of their lives.
One of the guide leaders said the attackers were friendly at first, even offering advice and borrowing a saw, but their attitude changed when they discovered the religion of the guides. At one point, the older man threatened to stab one of the teenage guide leaders, forcing those in charge to usher the younger children into a toilet block for safety.
The man then threatened to bring back others and warned the guide leader she would be shot.