Northern Ireland

Brokenshire leads condemnation of arson attack on SDLP councillor's car

The car belonged to Derry City and Strabane councillor Brian Tierney
The car belonged to Derry City and Strabane councillor Brian Tierney The car belonged to Derry City and Strabane councillor Brian Tierney

SECRETARY of state James Brokenshire has led condemnation of an arson attack on an SDLP councillor’s car in Derry.

The car belonging to Brian Tierney was targeted at around 10.20pm on Friday in Glencaw Park in the Galliagh area.

It was spotted by a member of the public who was able to extinguish the flames.

Mr Tierney was not at home at the time but his wife and children were.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the family have been left shaken.

"The people who did this think they can threaten Brian Tierney. Well, they don't know Brian Tierney and they don't know the SDLP," he said.

"Brian is somebody who serves the community extremely well, extremely diligently, and should be able to do that without threat or intimidation.

"There's absolutely no excuse for this type of activity."

Mr Brokenshire said he was "shocked and appalled" by the attack.

"The targeting of a public representative is despicable and cannot be justified," he said.

"Those involved in carrying out this sickening attack of intimidation are terrorising and harming communities and I would encourage anyone with information to share it with the police by calling 101."

Sinn Féin Foyle MP Elisha McCallion said elected representatives should be able to go about their work without being intimidated.

"What happened was not only an attempt to intimidate an elected representative and his family but also threatening and intimidating the entire community by anti-democratic groups."

Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann also said: "The attack on SDLP councillor Brian Tierney is a pathetic attack and attempt at intimidation of an elected representative."

PSNI Inspector William Calderwood appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the attack to contact police and said they would particularly like to speak to two males who were seen in the area at the time.