Ballymoney petrol bomb attack ‘could have killed’

The attack happened at the house on the Conagher Road on Wednesday night.

A window of the house was damaged and there was scorch damage caused to the front of the property.

The family who live in the house - including a man who is wheelchair-bound - were at home at the time. No-one was injured.

Renovation work was recently carried out on the house to make it more accessible for the disabled man.

Steven Phillips, a member of the Dervock and District Community Association and Ulster Unionist Party, called with the family to offer his support on Thursday morning.

He said: “This is a house of a disabled man and the community has to condemn such attacks.

“Most of the damage was superficial but the family are traumatised.

“I will be speaking to the local police and asking them to keep a watch on this property until the culprit or culprits are caught.

“Luckily no one was hurt.”

North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said the attack was “extremely worrying”.

“Any attack of this nature is to be condemned,” he said.

“However this particular incident is extremely worrying as a family member in this home is disabled.

“Should the petrol bomb have ignited we could have been looking at a murder scene.”

North Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann said: “I unreservedly condemn the actions of the mindless individuals who were behind this attack.

“Like many small villages in the North Antim area Dervock is very much a community and this type of attack which could have led to death or injury is an attack on the whole community.

“I call for anyone with information about this attack to come forward and speak to the police. We are fortunate not to be talking about murder and such activity must be stopped.”

Police in Ballymoney have appealed for anyone with information regarding the attack to contact them on 0845 600 8000.

Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.

REPORT: CHRIS KILPATRICK