08/10/2001

Prison officer’s daughter in fire attack

A prison officer’s daughter has been treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and shock after her County Armagh home was attacked.

It is understood a group of men forced their way into the 17-year-old’s home in Portadown on Sunday October 7 and set it alight. The girl's parents were out of the house at the time. Her father is a prison officer.

The chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, Finlay Spratt, said he believed that was the reason the family was targeted. Police are investigating the incident.

Meanwhile army technical officers have defused a pipe bomb found by a child at a sports ground in County Londonderry. The device was discovered in Michael Davitt's Gaelic Athletic Club in Swatragh, County Londonderry, shortly before 5pm on Sunday. Police said a number of items were removed for examination. (AMcE)

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