Woman left terrified after yobs smash car window while driving

Woman left terrified after yobs smash car window while driving

15 May 2019

A WOMAN driver had a lucky escape in a terrifying incident last weekend when the windscreen of her car was shattered by a stone as she drove along the Flying Horse Road in Downpatrick.

The incident happened around 9.30pm last Friday when the missile was thrown by a youth who appeared at the Brannish Road junction to target the woman’s car as she drove past.

The trouble, which has been condemned by Downpatrick councillor Dermot Curran and Aontú representative Macartan Digney, comes just weeks after a public protest called for an end to trouble at this part of the town after three vehicles belonging to pensioners cars were targeted by children throwing missiles.

In one particularly frightening incident, a elderly man was showered with fragments of broken glass after the driver’s window of his car was smashed. 

The Flying Horse Ward Community Forum staged the recent protest against trouble in the area and appealing for an end to it, with members of the group urging parents to warn their children not to get involved in behaviour which could lead to a major incident.

Cllr Curran and Mr Digney have appealed for an end to anti-social behaviour and once again urged parents to keep an eye on their children and warn them about the dangers of getting into trouble.

“This woman clearly had a lucky escape and it is very worrying that youths are throwing missiles at cars,” said Cllr Curran.

“My biggest fear is that such behaviour could potentially result in a fatality. As has been said on many previous occasions, this trouble must stop. Pensioners cars have been targeted in the past and last weekend we had another extremely worrying incident.”

Cllr Curran also appealed to anyone who can help police track down those responsible to come forward in a bid to apprehend the culprits and ensure there are no similar incidents.

Mr Digney said the woman had a very lucky escape.

“As the woman drove along the Flying Horse Road and was approaching the Brannish Road junction, she noticed a young person emerge who threw a missile at her car,” he explained.

“The glass shattered and showered the inside of the car with fragments of glass. Thankfully, the woman was able to retain control of her car and stop without hampering other road users after what must have been a very traumatic experience.”

Mr Digney said the weekend incident was the second of its kind to happen in this part of Downpatrick in recent months, highlighting the need for an end to the trouble and greater community pride in the area.

“There is a need to promote better civic pride and closer working relationships with statutory agencies to bring this sort of behaviour to an end before someone gets seriously hurt or worse as a result of such reckless behaviour, ” he continued.

Mr Digney said the driver had a “very lucky escape” and appealed to anyone who had any information about Friday night’s incident to come forward.

He added: “Hopefully this will be the last incident of this kind to occur on the streets of Downpatrick.”

Anyone who can assist police with their enquiries is asked to contact Downpatrick PSNI station using the non-emergency 101 number.