Torched car rolled down hill at estate

Torched car rolled down hill at estate

4 December 2019

TROUBLE flared again at a notorious hotspot in Downpatrick last weekend.

A car was set on fire at the Model Farm estate on the outskirts of the town early on Sunday morning before it was rolled down a steep embankment towards the Killough Road. 

Thankfully, the car stopped short of the main road which dissects the Model Farm and Flying Horse estates and the blaze was extinguished by local firemen.

There have been a series of incidents in the area over several years and despite appeals from community leaders and politicians earlier in the year for the trouble to stop, they have continued.

Last weekend’s incident has been condemned by South Down MP Chris Hazzard, who has appealed to anyone with information about who may have been involved to contact police.

In addition, the MP is appealing for what he described as a “stronger response” from the authorities in the wake of the weekend incident

Describing what happened as a “reckless act of vandalism,” Mr Hazzard said such incidents have no place in society. He urged anyone who may have witnessed what happened or has any information to help police with their investigation.

“This is only the latest in a series of anti-social behaviour incidents in this particular area and I have been in contact with residents in recent months who say they have had enough,” he continued.

“Sinn Féin representatives met with the PSNI and 

other agencies to discuss their plans to tackle the outbreak of deplorable attacks on the community and to demand greater action be taken. Residents are also calling for a stronger response from the authorities to ensure that the individuals responsible are dealt with in an appropriate manner as soon as possible.”

Mr Hazzard said the Model Farm and Flying Horse area has enjoyed what he described as “incredible economic growth” over recent years with a collection of thriving businesses and a strong tradition of community and voluntary organisations which offer training and employment opportunities for local young people.

He said the weekend incident was “unreflective of the community-at-large” and a reminder that much work in tackling the anti-social behaviour problem remains to be done.

Mr Hazzard said what was particularly concerning was that a car was left to burn only a short distance from homes and at the side of a busy road. 

He added: “We are very lucky that nobody was hurt. We owe our gratitude once again to the Fire Service which dealt with the blaze within minutes of their arrival. 

“This act displays a careless attitude towards the safety of the people of Downpatrick on the part of the assailants and we urge the authorities to respond in a proportional and timely manner.”