Attack on Terminally Ill Pensioner
A 67-year-old man receiving palliative care and dependent on oxygen tanks for breathing has been left "badly shaken" after an attack on his home, according to his family.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous to avoid further attention, had his windows smashed, sending shards of glass into his bedroom where he was lying with his oxygen machines, a relative named Roisin said.
"This was an attack on a terminally ill man who we found covered in glass and now he is too scared to return to his home," Roisin said.
The incident occurred on Greystone Road in Limavady, County Londonderry, at approximately 21:50 BST on Wednesday, police confirmed.
Roisin described the moment they learned of the attack.
"His carers had checked out for the night and we had just got home after visiting him," Roisin told NI.
"He then rang us and we knew there must be something wrong because he's not really able to use the phone as it's very difficult for him to breathe with the oxygen. He just rang us very out of breath and very scared and said: 'The windows have been smashed'.
"We just jumped up, got dressed, phoned the police on the way down and then discovered that all his windows had been smashed and he was lying in his bed with his oxygen and all of his machines around him, absolutely covered in glass, because his bed is right beside the window."
Roisin added that it appeared "every single windowpane had been smashed in around him."
"He's a single man, he's devoted to his family and he just did not deserve this whatsoever. How can people do this? It's just ridiculous."
Paramedics attended the scene to provide medical assistance to the man.
Victim Too Frightened to Return Home
Roisin said the attack had left many residents on the street frightened.
"He's in a pensioner's bungalow, everyone on that street are all wee pensioners," she said.
"I spoke to his neighbours after and all of them didn't sleep last night because they were all terrified, thinking it's somebody on the rampage."
Due to his fear, the victim is currently staying with family members and does not want to return to his home.
"It's just indescribable. I just don't understand how anybody would just be ruthless enough to go and do things like that."
Roisin expressed gratitude for the support from the local community following the incident.
Police Appeal for Information
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) issued a statement confirming they are investigating a report of criminal damage to a residence on Greystone Road.
They stated that the front windows of the property were smashed "with an unknown object."
A man who was inside at the time was uninjured but left shaken by the event, the PSNI added.
They urged anyone who observed suspicious behaviour in the area to come forward with information.
