Published: Thursday, 5th November, 2009 9:00am

Third sectarian attack on the same house

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A Fermanagh woman says she is fed up of "sectarian attacks" after vandals targeted her family's property with graffiti for a third time.

Marie Clear who looks after her sister's holiday home in Irvinestown has just finished cleaning up the damage caused by vandals last week.

"This is about the third time this has happened in two years. When I seen the paint everywhere I just thought; 'Oh my God, I can't believe this has happened again', it was such a shock. The graffiti was really in your face; there was silver paint, grey paint, it was all over the wall. Things like 'UDA', 'Free the Weed' and 'North Ballinamallard Brigade' were scrawled across - it looked awful," she said.

Marie believes the attacks are sectarian; "It's clear that it's always been the case. We are Catholics which is probably the main reason. I don't believe they are targeting my family as such, I think it's more to do with the fact that this property would lie empty now and again, so they probably see it as a blank canvas to write want they want," said Marie.

The Tourist Board-approved holiday home attracts a number of visitors to the area. Marie says she worries about tourists witnessing the attacks: "Imagine if you had people staying there, tourists in the area, who are staying in your house. How bad would it look? Imagine them looking at all of this horrible graffiti? It's terrible. There's no need for it. It's your own private property and I think it's a disgrace that anyone would be cheeky enough to come in and do it," she said.

Vandals wrote several sectarian slogans across the wall of the property and threw a trampoline over the fence. They also targeted the home of an elderly woman and her disabled child who live nearby in the area. The lady in question did not wish to comment.

"It's a pretty bad situation but enough is enough," said an angry Marie, "We can't take this carry on any longer; it's just not on. Every time they've targeted us we've had to go and get it cleaned up straight away. Every time this happens my husband has to pay a lot of money to get it repainted. It takes time and effort. This time around it cost over £600 to repaint and that is just unacceptable. I hope whoever is to blame for this is caught by the police," she said.

Sergeant Scott Fallis from Fermanagh North's Neighbourhood Policing Team said he will not "tolerate" these type of attacks.

"Graffiti of any sort is unacceptable but when it has sectarian undertones it is particularly unwelcome and intimidating. Irvinestown is well known for its cross community cohesion, and such behaviour can only be described as mindless vandalism, which does not reflect the good spirit of the town. This is behaviour which will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with robustly by police." he said.

Sergeant Fallis asks that anyone with information relating to this crime contact Irvinestown Neighbourhood Police on 0845 600 8000, himself directly on 07795607570, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.