A mother from Armagh who was the victim of "sectarian abuse" at her residence has declared "she won't be back to the area" and is now having to move between sofas while accommodation is being sourced.
On Sunday, April 30, two men attacked the property of a mum in the Ashleigh Crescent area of the town, at the same time hurling verbal sectarian abuse at her, Belfast Live reported.
Speaking exclusively to Belfast Live, she said she had been putting her year and a half old son to sleep when she heard thumping on her doors and windows.
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She recalled: "I had been lying watching films with my son and had just put him to bed when it all started.
"I had heard the group outside in the street prior but didn't think anything of it until I heard the banging on my doors and windows. It was a terrifying thing for us to go through and I have never had anything like this happen to me before.
The police advised her not to return to the area for her own safety.
"The Housing Executive have told me there are no suitable properties for me to go to at the minute so I am having to sofa surf for a while until one becomes available but they have told me that I am a priority," she said.
She described the situation as "just horrendous" adding that she and her son had been just trying to live and mind their own their business, and have had to suffer "intimidation like this."
An investigation has been launched into reports of a hate crime at Ashleigh Crescent on Sunday, April 30, police said, and a 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted criminal damage.
"He has since been bailed to allow for further enquiries," they informed.
A spokesperson said: "An investigation into the report of a hate crime at Ashleigh Crescent in Lurgan on Sunday April 30 is ongoing. A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted criminal damage and later bailed to allow for further enquiries. There are no further details at present."
Local community members have expressed their disgust at the incident in Lurgan.
Upper Bann Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson said: "Footage of a young mother facing sectarian intimidation in her own home in Lurgan is sickening and chilling. Women ought to be safe in their homes and able to live free of harassment. The cancerous sectarianism on display in the video must be unequivocally condemned by us all."
Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart said: "I have been made aware of a video on social media showing a single mum being verbally abused.
"This is reprehensible and I would urge the occupant to report this to the PSNI. They are best placed to deal with this. This behaviour is not welcome in Lurgan or anywhere else."
UUP leader Doug Beattie said: "This is absolutely appalling. I shall be speaking to the PSNI to ask what they are doing in relation to this clearly sectarian and threatening behaviour."
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