Woman shaken as teenager coughed in face

SDLP Councillor Thomas Larkham urged parents to keep their children at home as he related the disturbing incident in a social media post.

The incident is understood to have happened on Tuesday evening (March 24).

He said: “Where are your children?

“I am begging all parents to speak to their children and keep them indoors.

“I had a horrified lady contact me regarding an incident involving a teenager as she was out for a walk last night.

“She was approached by this teenager who entered her personal space and coughed in her face three times and then proceeded to verbally abuse her!”

Cllr Larkham said: “To the person responsible - you should be ashamed of yourself in what can only be described as a vile and disgusting act.

“In the midst of this crisis it’s unfortunate that we would even need to be remind young people that by carrying out these reprehensible acts they could actually be putting peoples lives in danger including their own.”

And in a message to parents he said: “It really is time for parents to step up, they need to make sure their children are aware of the consequences of their actions.”

He also added that he was informed a large group of young people had gathered at the Rathmore site behind Meadowbrook/Drumbeg the following evening, again he urged parents to keep their children at home.