Mum fears family targeted 'because of religion'

Leonie McLaughlin says it is the second time a family vehicle has been set alight

A mother whose family have fled their home in Londonderry after their car was destroyed in an arson attack has said they may have been targeted because of religion.

Leonie McLaughlin, her husband and three sons, aged three, seven and 10, are leaving their home in the Drumahoe area of the city after the family car was set alight on Monday night.

She told BBC News NI it was the second time a family vehicle had been set on fire outside their home.

Leonie, who has health and mobility issues, said the family now have no choice but to leave their home in Ardnabrocky.

“We really don’t know why we were targeted – it could be because they wanted the house or the fact we are in a mixed marriage and it’s because of religion,” she said.

The family were awoken in the early hours of Monday morning after their Kia Sportage car was set alight.

CCTV footage shows what appears to be a young man walking around the car shortly before it was ablaze.

Police said they are investigating the arson attack and have asked anyone with information to come forward.

Leonie said the family are now terrified.

'Can't take the chance'

“It’s the second time for us to suffer an attack,” she said.

“Last October our Seat Leon car was damaged in a similar incident. I really have no words.

“The safety of my three boys is my main concern so we have to move out. I can’t stay because my main worry would be whether this is going to happen again. I can’t take that chance."

It is understood the family are now living in a hotel while they try to find alternative accommodation.

DUP Councillor Niree McMorris says the family have been subjected to a terrible ordeal

Democratic Unionist Party councillor Niree McMorris said the family had been through a “terrible” ordeal.

“This is just a total disgrace and I condemn it in the strongest possible way," she said.

"To put a mother with three young children through this is just terrible.

“I’d appeal to those responsible to reflect on their actions. There is no place in society for this type of behaviour."

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson said officers, along with colleagues from the fire and rescue service, attended the scene of an arson attack in the Ardnabrocky area of Drumahoe on Monday.

The car, the PSNI spokesperson added, was “destroyed as a result of the fire which is being treated as deliberate”.

He added: “A male was seen in the area around half an hour before the report to police was made and he was described as being of slim build, wearing a jumper with a hood over his head and wore tracksuit bottoms and trainers.”