Protestor hurt as joyrider ploughs into crowd

A member of a protest group demonstrating against joyriding in their west Belfast community has been injured after a car ploughed into them.

The man, a local teacher, received severe bruising when he was dragged 20 yards along the road by a white Ford Escort car. He did not require hospital attention.

The protesters were just about to disperse following a gathering on the Andersonstown Road at 8pm on Wednesday when a car ploughed into the group hitting one man and dragging him down the street. Police were in the area but there are no reports of any arrests.

One protestor, Peggy Hanna – whose son Patrick was killed by a 17-year-old joyrider on the Andersonstown Road in 1999 – said that it was a miracle that no one had been hurt or killed.

"We were standing as a group because we were getting ready to disperse and they just came at us," she said.

"He actually had lost control of the wheel and his hands weren't on the wheel of the car. It was skidding everywhere and they just ploughed sort of through us.

"It was a miracle that no one was hurt or killed."

Local Sinn Fein councillor Paul Maskey described the incident as a "two-fingered gesture" to residents.

Mr Maskey said: "My reaction is one of complete disgust, particularly because many of the protestors have lost loved ones at the hands of joyriders.

"Many will see this as a two-fingered gesture to those who have been bereaved by joyriders. This is great anger in the community about this."

Councillor Maskey then stressed that the incident would galvanise greater efforts on behalf on the community to counter the threat from joyriders.

Witnesses claim there were two police Landrovers and unmarked police cars in the area which failed to stop the white escort as it approached the crowd. The PSNI, however, were unable to comment on the incident as it is now a matter for the Police Ombudsman.

The white-line picket, supported by the Link Community Association, was one of the biggest events of its type ever held in the area and forms part of an ongoing campaign by residents.

The previous Saturday a 10,000-name petition calling for stiffer sentences for joyriders was presented to Belfast City Council.

The petition will be presented to Westminster shortly, as organisers attempt to highlight the campaign to the government.

(GMcG)