A young single mother and her son have been left traumatised after a group of men launched a sectarian attack on her house on Sunday night.
The shocking verbal tirade was caught on the 21-year-old’s doorbell in the Ashleigh Crescent area of Lurgan at around 9pm.
It shows a group of men approach the house – one man initially summons others stating “there’s Fenians in here”.
One woman attempts to remove the man from the front door stating his children are watching. The man stumbles backwards, slurring his words.
He then attempts to physically remove the doorbell, but fails, before launching a slur of verbal abuse demanding the young woman come outside.
When there is no response he repeatedly makes derogatory references to the woman’s religion.
She subsequently posted a video on social media, stating: “Never thought I would have to do this but as people know I’m a 21-year-old single woman raising a one-and-a-half year old son on my own, living in an area that I thought I would be safe in.
“To cut a long story short, last night I put film on for me and child then around 9pm I was putting the child to bed having my last feg of the night out the back and I heard an awful racket at the door. These thugs were trying to put my door up my hall and my windows in round me and my baby son. I’m traumatised this was for nothing and it can’t be described as anything but sectarianism – pure hatred for me because of my religion.”
She added: “How anyone can justify this is beyond me we should be safe and left to live in peace. I’ve never caused an issue or had a complaint made against me. I hate to think of what would have happened if they got in my door big bullies.”
Upper Bann MLA Eoin Tennyson commented: “Footage of a young mother facing sectarian intimidation in her own home in Lurgan is sickening and chilling. Women ought to be safe in their homes and able to live free of harassment.
“The cancerous sectarianism on display in the video must be unequivocally condemned by all. I have reached out to offer my solidarity and support.”
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart also condemned the incident.
“I have been made aware of a video on social media showing a single mum being verbally abused and her front door being kicked.
“This is reprehensible and I would urge the occupant to report this to the PSNI. They are best placed to deal with this. This behaviour is not welcome in Lurgan or anywhere else.”
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