AN Armagh pensioner has vowed not to be driven out of his home of more than 70 years after it was bombed in the latest part of a `hate campaign' which saw his eldest son stabbed six weeks ago.
Gerard Stevenson and his daughter both narrowly escaped serious injury after their Lisanally Gardens homes were targeted by `explosive-type devices' at around 6.50pm on Wednesday.
The PSNI warned the attack "could have had tragic consequences", with Mr Stevenson's severely autistic granddaughter having only just left her home a short time before the explosion.
Mr Stevenson (76) said things escalated in recent weeks following more than a year of trouble with a group on the estate, sparked when his daughter asked someone not to put a flag outside her house.
He said since then there has been damage to the DLA car which she needs for her daughter and most recently his son was stabbed seven times, badly beaten and left for dead in a nearby estate.
The family believe the cases are all linked.
The pensioner, who is now receiving medical treatment for anxiety, said he is determined to stay in the house he moved into as a child with his parents.
"Where else would I go? I'm a Catholic in a mixed marriage and my children all went to the school and played hockey. Four of my sons were in the UDR.
"It used to be a mixed estate but not any more, They call us monkeys and baboons, throw bananas into our garden and tell lies about us on Facebook.
"I don't know what's going to happen."
