Post by Papa C. on Aug 2, 2006 9:16:44 GMT
Beechmount Burns
•Anarchy on the streets as drink- and drug-fuelled gang launch petrol-bomb attack on local residents
“People are really getting scared now... We’re all like prisoners in our own homes.”
Beechmount terror
by Laura McDaid
Terrified Beechmount residents locked themselves in their homes on Friday night as a gang of up to 100 youths descended on the area armed with petrol bombs, alcohol and drugs.
In what appeared to be an organised rally, underage drinkers, solvent abusers, thugs and drug dealers came together to wreak havoc, terrorising young children, setting off petrol bombs and making sinister threats to anyone who dared to confront them.
Residents who spoke to the Andersonstown News, but who declined to be photographed for fear of reprisal, described how the gang arrived in Mica Drive and St Mary’s Gardens at around 7pm on Friday night when children were still playing on the streets.
As the crowd grew, fights broke out between members of the gang and locals, bottles were smashed and petrol bombs were thrown in the direction of homes in Beechmount Avenue.
Parents quickly moved to bring their children to safety, but one mother-of-three described how her six-year-old daughter witnessed a drunk teenager smashing a bottle over his own head as she was taking her inside.
“It happened before I could get her in. She was petrified – he had blood pouring out of his head and was staggering around.
“I can’t describe the chaos that hit this area on Friday night. People are afraid to leave their doors on weekend nights. Older people are just locking their doors and closing their windows. We’re all like prisoners in our own homes.”
A public rally in opposition to anti-social behaviour in the area will be staged on Tuesday night.
Chairperson of the Beechmount Residents’ Association, Dennis Gregg, said hundreds are expected to attend the protest, which will begin at the St Paul’s Parish Centre.
“This community has had enough,” said Dennis. “They’re going to stand up to these thugs and show that they’re not taking any more. No one should have to live in this climate of fear.”
Commending the bravery of those who stood up to the youths, he added: “These people showed a great deal of courage by coming out and openly condemning what’s been going on, but the threats and abuse they got were fierce. Now the community needs to come together to show their opposition.
“All this reinforces the need for the Safer Neighbourhood Project and the need for more volunteers to offer their services to the project.”
Local man Ciaran Beattie said the gangs are travelling to the area from as far away as the Short Strand.
“There are some locals, but they’re coming from all over. They’ll continue to come until action is taken to stop them. This is terrifying – especially for the elderly.”
One man aged around 40 and claiming to be from the Short Strand arrived with a small black rucksack on his back.
Locals believe he was dealing in drugs.
Many Beechmount residents are now considering moving from the area, citing stress and fear as their motivation for getting out.
However, one pensioner approached by the Andersonstown News insisted she will not be moved.
“I was burned out by loyalists in 1969 and in the eighties. To come through the Troubles only to feel threatened by your own community is very sad, but I won’t be moved again at this stage of my life. Not by my own people.”
Local youth worker Paul McCann said a fatality in the area is inevitable.
“Someone’s going to be killed,” he said. “It’ll take someone to be killed before anything’s done about it. It’s got too big and it’s showing no signs of calming down.”
• Anyone wishing to attend Tuesday night’s rally should meet at St. Paul’s Parish Centre at 7pm. See editorial, page 18.
•Anarchy on the streets as drink- and drug-fuelled gang launch petrol-bomb attack on local residents
“People are really getting scared now... We’re all like prisoners in our own homes.”
Beechmount terror
by Laura McDaid
Terrified Beechmount residents locked themselves in their homes on Friday night as a gang of up to 100 youths descended on the area armed with petrol bombs, alcohol and drugs.
In what appeared to be an organised rally, underage drinkers, solvent abusers, thugs and drug dealers came together to wreak havoc, terrorising young children, setting off petrol bombs and making sinister threats to anyone who dared to confront them.
Residents who spoke to the Andersonstown News, but who declined to be photographed for fear of reprisal, described how the gang arrived in Mica Drive and St Mary’s Gardens at around 7pm on Friday night when children were still playing on the streets.
As the crowd grew, fights broke out between members of the gang and locals, bottles were smashed and petrol bombs were thrown in the direction of homes in Beechmount Avenue.
Parents quickly moved to bring their children to safety, but one mother-of-three described how her six-year-old daughter witnessed a drunk teenager smashing a bottle over his own head as she was taking her inside.
“It happened before I could get her in. She was petrified – he had blood pouring out of his head and was staggering around.
“I can’t describe the chaos that hit this area on Friday night. People are afraid to leave their doors on weekend nights. Older people are just locking their doors and closing their windows. We’re all like prisoners in our own homes.”
A public rally in opposition to anti-social behaviour in the area will be staged on Tuesday night.
Chairperson of the Beechmount Residents’ Association, Dennis Gregg, said hundreds are expected to attend the protest, which will begin at the St Paul’s Parish Centre.
“This community has had enough,” said Dennis. “They’re going to stand up to these thugs and show that they’re not taking any more. No one should have to live in this climate of fear.”
Commending the bravery of those who stood up to the youths, he added: “These people showed a great deal of courage by coming out and openly condemning what’s been going on, but the threats and abuse they got were fierce. Now the community needs to come together to show their opposition.
“All this reinforces the need for the Safer Neighbourhood Project and the need for more volunteers to offer their services to the project.”
Local man Ciaran Beattie said the gangs are travelling to the area from as far away as the Short Strand.
“There are some locals, but they’re coming from all over. They’ll continue to come until action is taken to stop them. This is terrifying – especially for the elderly.”
One man aged around 40 and claiming to be from the Short Strand arrived with a small black rucksack on his back.
Locals believe he was dealing in drugs.
Many Beechmount residents are now considering moving from the area, citing stress and fear as their motivation for getting out.
However, one pensioner approached by the Andersonstown News insisted she will not be moved.
“I was burned out by loyalists in 1969 and in the eighties. To come through the Troubles only to feel threatened by your own community is very sad, but I won’t be moved again at this stage of my life. Not by my own people.”
Local youth worker Paul McCann said a fatality in the area is inevitable.
“Someone’s going to be killed,” he said. “It’ll take someone to be killed before anything’s done about it. It’s got too big and it’s showing no signs of calming down.”
• Anyone wishing to attend Tuesday night’s rally should meet at St. Paul’s Parish Centre at 7pm. See editorial, page 18.
