Petrol bombersterrify motorists

The incident occurred on Sunday evening as a motorist, taking her ill aunt for a leisurely drive around attempted to pass through the Irish Street district towards Chapel Road. As their car approached a lay-by close to the site of the old Clondermott High School the motorist found that the road was barricaded and the came under attack from youths hurling petrol bombs.

The partner of the driver, who does not wish to be identified, told the Sentinel: "They had to crawl out of the car in an attempt to get away. They were in hysterics.

"My partners aunt is really not well at the moment. She was just taken out for a drive and was in her pyjama's and dressing gown.

"The youths were up on the green slope at Anderson Crescent firing the petrol bombs. They refused to stop and shouted abuse like 'Orange b---tards'."

However, the Sentinel source said that there was no way the attackers could have known the religion of the people in the car but it was obvious from the sectarian nature of the verbal abuse they used that sectarian intent was there.

The man said: "We could have been dealing with a fatality. These guys were unmasked and there is CCTV in the area so hopefully they are identified."

The PSNI in Londonderry confirmed that the incident took place just after 8pm on Sunday night. A police spokeswoman told the Sentinel: "Police are investigating after youths threw petrol bombs at a car forced to stop in the Top of the Hill area on Sunday around 8.15pm. The car was not damaged however the occupant was very shaken up by the incident. The Waterside Urban Neighbourhood Team would be keen to speak to anyone who could identify those responsible. The telephone number to ring is 0845 600 8000. Alternatively information can be passed on anonymously through the ‘Crimestoppers’ charity on freephone 0800 555 111. "