Police investigating 'horrific' sectarian attack in Derry's Waterside area

Police are investigating a 'horrific' sectarian attack on a family home in Derry this week.
Paint and items, including a brick, were thrown at the house in the Ebrington Oaks area on Monday night, causing damage to a door and a window. Windows of a car were also smashed.
No injuries are reported to have occurred as a result of the incident, which is being investigated as a sectarian-motivated hate crime.
As police continue with enquiries, officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the attack, or who may have relevant footage which captured what happened.
Waterside DUP councillor Niree McMorris branded the attack as 'horrific' and condemned those behind it.
“I've spoken to the woman who lives there and the only motive they have is that her partner is a Catholic, which is absolutely sickening,” Alderman McMorris said.
“It's disgusting that a young family with a sick child has had this happen to them, they have enough going on without this happening.
“We condemn it in the highest possible way. People should not be victimised because of their religion no matter what.
“I would appeal to the youth in the area and whoever was responsible for this attack to think about their actions and the impact that it has on this family. There are three children in that house that have been highly impacted by this.
“These children will grow up with the knowledge that their house was attacked and only because their father is a Catholic.
“We can't stand back and allow this to happen.”
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan described the attack as 'disgraceful'.
“This was a disgraceful sectarian attack on a family home while young children were inside. No one should have to endure this kind of intimidation. This family simply wanted to live their lives in peace and should never have been targeted in this way.
“I have contacted the family to offer my support and to make clear that those responsible do not represent this community. I would urge anyone with information to come forward to the police.”
SDLP Waterside Councillor Martin Reilly said: “There has been a worrying pattern of anti-social behaviour in this area for a number of months, often with a sectarian element, and this represents a serious escalation.
“I am particularly concerned that young people are being drawn into this behaviour, with potentially serious consequences for their future.
“Through my role on the PCSP, I have liaised directly with the police and asked for additional patrols to reassure residents and tackle anti-social behaviour. This was a shameful incident and must be unequivocally condemned.”