Teenager girl escapes after bottle thrown through shop window

Teenager girl escapes after bottle thrown through shop window

8 January 2020

A YOUNG girl escaped serious injury on New Year’s Eve when she was showered with broken glass while working at a shop in Downpatrick.

The teenager was working at Murphy’s Stores in Fountain Street when a bottle was thrown at a rear window of the premises, showering her in fragments of glass.

The attack left the young girl traumatised with the owners of the store forced to close early.

Mark Murphy, whose family own the shop, said the incident happened around 7.15pm and that the young girl had been facing the rear window just seconds before it shattered.

“The incident could have been much worse and we are thankful that the young girl was not seriously injured,” he said.

“While the glass came in around her, if she had been looking through the window she could potentially have lost an eye. That’s how serious this incident was. While angry at what happened, we know the young girl could have suffered a life-changing injury.”

Mr Murphy said that there was a crowd of up to 14 youths at the rear of the shop and that the young girl was left shaking after what happened.

The came just four days after rampaging youths caused havoc in the Thomas Russell Park and St Patrick’s Drive areas in Downpatrick.

It is understood the group made its way from the Flying Horse and Model Farm areas before congregating in Market Street and making their way to Thomas Russell Park and St Patrick’s Drive.