'Dissident' Attack On SF Murphy's Home

Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy has said he will not be deterred from his job, following an arson attack on his family home in Co Armagh, which he claims was carried out by dissident republicans.

Mr Murphy, a Stormont minister, (pictured) said his children have been left traumatised by the incident, which is believed to have happened at around 1am this morning.

Paint was thrown at the Camlough house, and scorch damage was caused to windows.

Two cars were also set alight in the attack. Mr Murphy paid tribute to the Fire Service, who ensured the fire did not spread to the house.

"We managed to get the kids out of the house. They were all very traumatised by the incident. The Fire Brigade managed to get the fires out before the houses caught fire.

"There is damage to both houses because of the intensity of the blaze."

The Newry and Armagh MP described the attack as "cowardly" and insisted it would not deflect him from representing local people.

"The reality is the people who sneaked into my yard last night and traumatised my kids, my parents-in-law, my wife haven't offered any explanation as to who they are or what they're about.

"It is incumbent on them to do so and let people decide whether they offer a better way forward.

"Until such times as these people come out from under cover of darkness we can't actually ascertain who they are or what their motives are."

Police said they were treating the incident as malicious and have appealed for witnesses.

Last month the Derry home of Mr Murphy's party colleague Mitchell McLaughlin's was damaged in a petrol bomb attack.

Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has also been told his life is under threat from dissident republicans.

Today's incident was condemned by UUP Deputy Leader Danny Kennedy, who described it as an "attack on our democratic institutions".

"Our society has bitter and painful experience of attacks on elected representatives. In particular, attacking a family home is a vile crime," he said.

"I offer to Mr Murphy and his family my sympathies and urge anyone with information to pass it to the PSNI."

(PR/JM)