Paintbombers target Fountain

The home of Alex McClements was targeted by a gang of paint bombers on Friday, April 9 whilst Mr McClements, his wife and children were at home.

In the past the McClements family home and others in the estate close to the Bishop Street / Fountain Interface have been targeted from the city's walls. But, on this occasion the attackers came into the estate and launched a direct attack on the home.

Alex McClements told the Sentinel: "It was about 9pm and I was in the kitchen with one of the children and my wife was in the living room with another. I heard them booting the front door and went through the back door to catch them, but by the time I got there, they were gone.

"It is a good thing that there is perspex over the front window or my wife and children could have been seriously hurt."

As the photograph shows, the paintbombs were concentrated directly upon the front of the home. Mr McClements also told the Sentinel that the photograph was taken after a clean-up of the damage.

Mr McClements believes that the attackers came through the security gate connecting the Fountain to Bishop Street.

"The gate was still open at that point so I think they came through there. We had petrol bombs thrown at the house from the Walls a couple of years ago.

"In my eyes, these people are sick in the head. And, where are the parents of these people? They have to ask where their children are. We just want to live in peace. It has been quiet now for some months and we don't want this hassle starting up again."

The paint bomb victim also stressed that he thought the country was supposed to be living in peace now and did not want to see any young person landing in court over such activity.

Alex McClements also said that attacks such as these would not result in him leaving the Fountain.

"We are here to stay. We have lived here through petrol bombs and bricks, so paint bombs won't drive us out."

Alderman Maurice Devenney utterly condemned the Fountain attack.

Mr Devenney said: "You would have to say that those who did this are the lowest of the low. This was an absolute disgrace."

The PSNI in Londonderry said: "Paint was thrown at the fence of a house in Fountain Street on Friday night April 9. Enquiries are ongoing."