Larne woman’s plea: ‘Tell me why I am being intimidated’

Elaine Currie, 43, said she is “terrified” to leave the apartment she recently moved in to at Landsdowne Close after two recent attacks on her property. On June 16, her Motability car was burned out and last Tuesday (June 26) bricks were thrown through patio doors at the flat.

Elaine, who walks with the aid of sticks, said: “I’m just glad my young grandson wasn’t here when it happened. He stays here with me sometimes and I have godchildren who stay over. Any of them could have been here and who knows what could have happened?”

She said she did not know if the Honda Civic car would be replaced by the Motability charity, adding that she was faced with a bill up to £500 for repair of the patio doors. “I live on benefits and I just don’t know how I am going to pay it. And I depend on the car to get me to hospital appointments,” she added.

She is at a loss to explain why she has been attacked:

“I’m registered disabled, I’m on pain relief, I have depression and I’m diabetic. I’m not a well person. I just want to know why this is happening. It’s so cowardly.

“People in Larne know me. I’m a bit outspoken, but I’m not involved in anything. I haven’t got a clue why they’re doing this to me, but if I’ve ticked anybody off, or done something wrong, I’m a reasonable person so please just tell me what it is and I’ll apologise or do whatever I have to do to fix it.”

Police have appealed for information about both incidents. They say that around 2am on the 16th a black Honda Civic, which had been parked in the street, had a window broken and the interior set alight. The car was completely burnt out. On the 26th at around 1am two patio windows were smashed by stones thrown by persons unknown.

Police are asking anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area, or who has any information about either incident, to contact them in Larne on 0845 600 8000 or to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

l Following a separate incident, Sinn Fein MLA Oliver McMullan has urged other elected representatives to back him in condemning what he claims was a paramilitary eviction in Larne recently.

As previously reported, there was a series of criminal damage incidents in the town over the weekend of June 9-10 when windows were smashed and a car burnt. Mr McMullan said a man was forced out of his home at Craigy Hill Bungalows and he blames the UDA for the attack.

“Elected representatives have as usual been silent,” he said, “but whenever I speak out against this sort of primeval activity they are queuing up to attack me in the Press, so I would appeal to them to join me in condemning this.”

The PSNI said officers were “actively investigating” a number of incidents of criminal damage over that weekend.

A spokesman added: “On Saturday, June 9 homes in the Doric Drive and Hampton Crescent areas were targeted, with windows being smashed at both locations. One male occupant sustained cuts from broken glass. On Sunday 10, properties in the Craigy Hill Bungalows, Hampton Crescent and Churchill Road areas were attacked. Windows were smashed and damage caused to a car at one location.

“The police investigation is ongoing and several definite lines of enquiry are being pursued.”

Police have asked anyone who witnessed any of these incidents, or who has any information, to contact them or Crimestoppers.