UVF vendetta seen in petrol-bomb attack

Unionist paramilitaries have petrol-bombed the family of one of their murder victims.

Ann Robb, whose teenage son Andrew was killed five years ago, fled her burning house in Portadown, County Armagh after a new attack.

The 45-year-old had taken sleeping tablets and was only roused by her husband.

“I was out for the count and never heard the petrol bomb coming through the window. All I remember was Trevor shouting ‘Ann get out of the house’.

“As I made my way down the stair carpet was on fire. Trevor was running about with saucepans of water dousing the flames. If it wasn’t for him being there last night I wouldn’t be here now because I never heard a thing.”

Two petrol bombs exploded at Mrs Robb’s house on Festival Road in the Killycomaine Estate late on Sunday night. One was thrown through the window of a utility room, causing smoke damage.

A second device scorched a garage door after being thrown against it. Although badly shaken, neither Mrs Robb or her husband were injured.

The UVF has carried out a series of attacks in the estate against those thought to be opposed to the organisation.

The paramilitaries may have targeted Mrs Robb because of her campaign for justice over the killing of her son Andrew.

The 19-year-old and his friend David McIlwaine were brutally murdered in February 2000. A UVF gang stabbed both victims to death after they left a nightclub in nearby Tandragee. Their bodies were found dumped in an isolated laneway.

Although the killings came at the height of a violent feud with the rival Loyalist Volunteer Force, police and the victims’ families said neither were connected to paramilitaries.

“It’s all the UVF doing this,” insisted Mrs Robb.

“They know I haven’t stood down and I won’t back down in trying to get justice for Andrew. I will hit back until I get these people taken off the streets and locked up. They don’t like it.”

Urgent Appeal