Children in fear after arson attacks

Published Tuesday, 23 October 2012
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A mother who was forced to leave her Newtownards home after a campaign of sectarian intimidation against her says her children are haunted by nightmares of the attacks.

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Janette Nelson, who is now staying with relatives, said she wanted to stay in her house at Lenamore Park for the rest of her life before the four sectarian attacks happened.

"All that safety that I had provided for my kids is just gone," she told UTV.

She says all she can do now is be strong for her children.

"They haven't seen me crying, but I have cried lots of tears, especially in the past few days it has just hit me like a big brick wall what has happened and the enormity of it and I just wish these people when they are lying in their beds (know) what they've done," she said.

It is just rotten to hear my wee daughters crying at night, because they're afraid. I wish them people could see that for their own kids, and feel it so they wouldn't ever, ever do it again.

Janette Nelson

Earlier this month, Janette and her three children, aged between two and 12, were rescued from their burning house by a neighbour and PSNI officers

They have been staying with relatives since the arson attack which police described as reckless and cowardly.

The latest incident happened on Saturday, when Janette returned home to collect some belongings.

She was talking to neighbours at the back of her property when flammable liquid was poured through the letter box of the house and set alight.

"For me to just be at the back of the house, and they must have thought that I was in the bathroom, with it being the only light on, it's just so scary," she said.

Janette managed to extinguish the fire and escaped unhurt. Minor scorch damage was caused to the door.

Her children were not home at the time.

The series of intimidating attacks has had a huge impact on Janette and her whole family.

Previously, sectarian graffiti was painted on the walls, windows were smashed and a car was damaged.

"We've lost our house now, we've had to move out of the house and that is just the most awful thing because it had taken us a long time to make that house our own and I've always felt very very safe there," Janette added.

"I had to think about what was better, bricks and mortar or my kids' lives?"

She said her priority now is to find a new house after leaving her home of six years.

"I just want to put it all about me, and just not forget that it happened but learn by it," she said.

"It will take my girls a long long time to get over it, I just want it to be over and to put the whole thing behind us."

© UTV News
Comments Comments
3 Comments
Johnny in Belfast wrote (212 days ago):
FairPlay to the neighbour William, it shows there is decent folk out there who do care!!
S.B. in Belfast wrote (212 days ago):
This is scandalous and shamefully no one in authority seems to give a damn about this family. What exactly are the PSNI doing about these attempted murders? Where are the senior Unionist politicians and the Protestant clergy in all of this and why are they not out condemning this fully? The sectarianism and hatred in this place is still as bad as it ever was and most people just don't care enough about 'the other side' to get angry or worked up. That tells you all you need to know. Shame!
Paul in Belfast wrote (212 days ago):
For God and Ulster! Some very sad people are sitting proud of themselves at what they did for their we country! I would hope there aren't too many of that type of person left in our we country! Cavemen and Women intent on keeping us in the caves of Sectarianism!
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