Terrifying ordeal leaves young mum 'afraid for her life'

A young mother said she was afraid for her life following a terrifying ordeal in the Shantallow area of Derry.
Courtney McFadden was in bed in the early hours of Friday morning when she heard a loud bang outside her Drumleck Drive home.

In what she described as the “second targeted attack” in a year, Ms McFadden then witnessed her car being engulfed in flames.

“There was glass shattering and debris was flying everywhere,” she said. “I was afraid for my life and for the lives of everybody around me.”

Speaking to The Derry News, Ms McFadden said the attack had left her shaken.

“I haven’t slept all night. I am not in a good way but I am more terrified for my mammy, Sarah, and my wee daughter, Aoibhí (1).

“Aoibhí sleeps in a bedroom at the front of the house and mammy sleeps at the back; she has severe medical needs and we have an extension.

“We had gone to bed. Aoibhí’s monitor was bleeping to say her room was too warm. I was about to go in and open a window but thank God I didn’t because the next minute I heard a loud bang at the door. I checked the ring doorbell camera and we could see the car in flames,” she said.

Ms McFadden said her car went up in flames between 12.50 and 01:00.

She added: “Our neighbour actually contacted the Fire Brigade and the police. I have to say, everybody on the scene was very, very good, very helpful, lovely people. The people that were out here were just outstanding. They went above and beyond for my mammy and me. I had a friend with me as well. Everyone went above and beyond for us.

“My neighbours’ cars were in danger too, so we had to bang on their doors to get them to move their cars away from mine. Luckily no-one else’s car was damaged. The Fire Service was here very promptly and was able to put the fire out.

“I was afraid for my life. The noise was absolutely shocking, really, really bad. Aoibhí and my mammy were my main priority.

“My mammy had a massive stroke; she doesn’t keep well so I was afraid about how she would get out of the house. I was afraid for Aoibhí and I was afraid for my neighbours.”

“We are a very close wee community here,” said Ms McFadden. “This was my granny and granda’s home; they lived here for 60 years. Our neighbours all around here are the families of their friends from back in the day.

“We are just so close and everybody looks out for everybody. They were all out supporting us. They just couldn’t believe that this happened in the area,” she added.

“I was terrified but it is not just one person whoever did this was hurting. They are hurting dozens of people. They are affecting the community and that is not somewhere where I want my child to grow up.

“At the end of the day, I have lived in Shantallow all my life. It is my community and I shouldn’t be afraid to live in my own home.

“I worked in the community before I went off to have Aoibhí; I worked in the Shantallow Community in Sure Start. I live in the community and I just think it is shocking that someone who has worked hard to get the things they have should have them destroyed by wee scumbags.

“It is vile behaviour and it is other people who are suffering as a result of it. We haven’t slept all night. We have just been trying to get the insurance sorted.”

Ms McFadden said what frightened her most was that the attack could have had more devastating consequences.

“Somebody could have lost their life; somebody could have lost property. You just don’t know what way those things could go,” she added.
“Mammy is very, very shaken up. She has dementia and I am just trying to make sure her and Aoibhí are reassured. But, I am just worrying that the person is going to come back.

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“I have a personalised number plate on my car so whoever did it did it with intent. It is shocking behaviour.

“I just want people to come forward, anybody in the area, if they know anything about what happened. We just don’t know what could happen next. Something could be put through our window next.”

Following the incident, a PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a report of a car on fire in the Drumleck Drive area of Derry / Londonderry shortly after 1am on Friday, May 9.

"Officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed in the incident.

"This is being treated as arson, and as enquiries remain ongoing, police would ask anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have any information, including CCTV, dashcam, or other video footage to contact 101, quoting reference 60 of 9/5/25.

"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.   

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/."