Pensioners' home stoned by gang

Windows were smashed in the attack

A elderly woman whose west Belfast home was attacked by youths throwing rocks and stones says she and her brother could have been killed.

Mary Hanna, 70, lives and cares for her brother George, 80, at Workman Avenue off the Springfield Road.

They are Catholics but live on the Protestant side of the peace line and have been targeted three times in eight days by nationalist youths.

Windows have been smashed and the pensioners' car has been damaged.

On Monday night, the landing window was broken and the house was littered with glass and up to 20 rocks, as well as broken bottles. Tiles on the roof were also shattered.

"It's got to the stage that we're afraid to put a light on at the back in case they see the house," Miss Hanna said.

"I'm angry, I was frightened. We didn't know what else was coming. We could have been killed out there tonight. I'm not exaggerating. The amount of stuff that came down."

She said she and her brother had moved into the area in 1968 and were happy there with good neighbours. But now she is not sure that her brother could remain there.

'Sectarian'

"We have been here for such a long time, you know, we lived right on the front of the road until 1968 then came over here," she said.

"This was our playground, we knew everybody - it wasn't as if we were strangers coming into the area.

"It is absolutely ridiculous that you can't live at peace in your own home.

"It is so wrong. The parents must know what they're at. I don't care who says they don't. They must."

North Belfast DUP MLA Nelson McCausland said the attacks were sectarian.

He said nationalist youths had been crossing from the Springfield Road to attack houses in the area.

"Such attacks are deeply upsetting for anyone but especially for senior citizens and I am glad that community workers have called with the pensioners to provide some support and reassurance," he said.

"Everyone should be able to live in their homes without the threat of sectarian attack."