A woman claims she has been 'forced' to flee from her home after being confronted by 'a group of masked men'. The resident, from Newtownabbey near Belfast claims she is now 'living on the streets'.
The local says she has received on-going threats from 'paramilitaries' in the area after she has been the subject of an attack in her own home in the past. She said she was 'confronted' in the New Mossley area by a gang of men wearing masks, reports BelfastLive.
The woman has recounted how the group told her she had mere hours to leave the area as she frantically rushed home to collect her belongings that she now says she has to carry around in bin bags.
She was placed in emergency accommodation in Derry before being moved to a hostel in Belfast, one that is infested with drug users, she claims. The distraught woman told how her mental health has been 'wrecked' by the ordeal.
Speaking to Belfast Live, the woman said: "For months I had been getting threats from paramilitaries in Newtownabbey which had left me terrified for my safety, as I have been attacked in my home before.
"This led to me being confronted in New Mossley by a group of masked men who told me that I had five hours to leave the area and I had to grab everything that I could from my home and leave.
"From there I was put into emergency accommodation in Derry and then a hostel in Belfast, but I can't stay there due to the amount of drug use that is going on inside it and I don't want to be near anything like that.
"I am currently having to carry everything I own around with me because I have nowhere to go.
"The whole ordeal has completely wrecked my nerves and my mental health, and even though I have 320 housing points, it could be months before I am able to be rehomed."
Police confirmed they are investigating reports that masked men confronted the woman in the area.
A spokesperson said: "Police received a report that a number of masked men approached a woman in the New Mossley area of Newtownabbey on Tuesday, 25th April and threatened her.
"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1322 of 25/04/23. Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
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