30 August 2001 Edition
Family's lucky escape in double pipe-bomb attack
The father of a family of six, speaking after they had a lucky escape from a double pipe-bomb loyalist attack on their home in Ballynahinch in the early hours of Wednesday morning, has described a litany of loyalist attacks they have endured.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous because the risk to his life, has said that this is the second time within a month that his home has been targeted by loyalist pipe bombers, and that only two months ago his car was destroyed in an arson attack.
Within the same few streets in Ballynahinch, there have been four other pipe-bomb attacks within the last number of months.
Sinn Féin councillor for the Ballynahinch area, Francie Braniff, has said that he ``is in absolutely no doubt'' that the UDA were behind the attempt to kill the Catholic family.
``It was only through good fortune that nobody was killed or injured in last night's atack,'' said the Sinn Féin Ballynahinch councillor. ``Only a matter of weeks ago I met with the British State John Reid and presented him with a dossier of UDA activity in the area'' added Mr Braniff.
``It is clear that Mr Reid has chosen to ignore the reality of this UDA activity, instead relying upon a `security' assessment from RUC boss Ronnie Flanagan that the UDA and UFF are still on ceasefire. John Reid has ignored the warnings about Ballynahinch.''
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous because the risk to his life, has said that this is the second time within a month that his home has been targeted by loyalist pipe bombers, and that only two months ago his car was destroyed in an arson attack.
Within the same few streets in Ballynahinch, there have been four other pipe-bomb attacks within the last number of months.
Sinn Féin councillor for the Ballynahinch area, Francie Braniff, has said that he ``is in absolutely no doubt'' that the UDA were behind the attempt to kill the Catholic family.
``It was only through good fortune that nobody was killed or injured in last night's atack,'' said the Sinn Féin Ballynahinch councillor. ``Only a matter of weeks ago I met with the British State John Reid and presented him with a dossier of UDA activity in the area'' added Mr Braniff.
``It is clear that Mr Reid has chosen to ignore the reality of this UDA activity, instead relying upon a `security' assessment from RUC boss Ronnie Flanagan that the UDA and UFF are still on ceasefire. John Reid has ignored the warnings about Ballynahinch.''