Five-year-old too afraid to sleep at home due to campaign of intimidation in Derry street - Colr.

Sinn Féin Councillor Aileen Mellon has said that residents in Galliagh Park are living in fear after the latest in a spate of incidents during which a wheelie bin was set alight outside the entrance to a home of a woman and two young children.
By Brendan McDaid
Published 23rd Feb 2020, 11:25 BST
Sinn Fein Councillor for the Galliagh area Aileen Mellon pictured previously at the flats.Sinn Fein Councillor for the Galliagh area Aileen Mellon pictured previously at the flats.
Sinn Fein Councillor for the Galliagh area Aileen Mellon pictured previously at the flats.

Colr. Mellon said the incident on Friday night was part of a wider campaign of intimidation and attacks that were endangering the lives of residents in the flats within the Derry housing estate.

The incident is the latest in a spate of arson attacks by youths in the street, while there have also recently been concerns over large gangs of youths gathering in Galliagh Park at night-time.

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Councillor Mellon said: “I have been supporting a resident of Galliagh Park who has been a victim of anti-community activity by a group of young people who are making her life extremely difficult. For the past year, she has been subjected to continual intimidation culminating in her wheelie bin being set alight.

“This lady lives in a top flat with her children of four months and five years old. The younger child was in the flat when the bin was burned while the five year old is scared to stay in the flat at weekends as he is unable to sleep because of the activities of this anti-community group.

“Police and wardens have been called three times this week and countless times before as her bins have been stolen on a number of occasions with her safety fence also being ripped off. She has also been the victim of threats and verbal abuse.

“This is just one example of the issues faced by residents. A number of other residents have also been in contact in the last few weeks expressing similar concerns.

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“I appeal to all parents who have teenagers to check if they are hanging around this area and impress on them the damaging effect this behaviour has on residents, in particular the elderly and those with young children.”

Colr. Mellon added: “I will continue to work with the Community Wardens and residents to prevent this activity and make Galliagh the peaceful and enjoyable place to live that the majority of residents wish to see.”

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks which residents in Galliagh Park have had to endure. In November 2018 another young mother had a narrow escape when gangs set fire to her bin outside her front door. On that occasion the family had to escape through a window.

There have been further similar incidents at the same flats complex since, as well as wider anti-social behaviour across the area.