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Petrol attack on SF man's house | Petrol attack on SF man's house |
(20 minutes later) | |
The Londonderry home of senior Sinn Féin member Mitchel McLaughlin has been attacked with petrol bombs. | The Londonderry home of senior Sinn Féin member Mitchel McLaughlin has been attacked with petrol bombs. |
Two devices were thrown at the house in the Bogside area of Derry just before 0100 BST on Monday. Scorch damage was caused to the wall of the property. | Two devices were thrown at the house in the Bogside area of Derry just before 0100 BST on Monday. Scorch damage was caused to the wall of the property. |
At least four people were in the house, but no-one was injured. | At least four people were in the house, but no-one was injured. |
Mr McLaughlin, the party's National Chairman, said that the attackers were "cowardly scum" but that he would "not be intimidated". | |
"Once more, cowards came in the dark of night and attacked my home in an attempt to intimidate me and my family," he said. | |
"The difference this time was that they attempted to set my home on fire with petrol bombs with no regard for anyone who was in the house at the time. This is attempted murder and there is no other way to describe it." | "The difference this time was that they attempted to set my home on fire with petrol bombs with no regard for anyone who was in the house at the time. This is attempted murder and there is no other way to describe it." |
Attacks | |
Mr McLaughlin, assembly member for South Antrim, lives in the city with his wife and their three sons. | Mr McLaughlin, assembly member for South Antrim, lives in the city with his wife and their three sons. |
He said his home had been attacked three times in the past month. | |
Dissident republicans have been blamed for similar attacks in the past, but Mr McLaughlin refused to comment on who he thought was responsible. | |
"I see no value in adding to speculation. My message to those who disagree with us is 'stand up and make your case if you have a disagreement or think you've got a better way of doing things'," he said. | |
SDLP assembly member Pat Ramsey said those responsible must be stopped. | |
"For heaven's sake, we need to be united to put an end to this nonsense that's going on and that's bringing down the name of the Bogside and tarnishing it," he said. | |
"People know who it is - if your son is coming home in the middle of the night after petrol bombs, people must be smelling it off them. | |
"They should be exposed and they should be handed over, it's as simple as that," said Mr Ramsey. |