A Newtownabbey woman has said she is living on the streets after being "forced from her area by paramilitaries".
The woman says that she was forced to leave her home due to ongoing threats against her and that she had been allegedly confronted by a group of masked men in the New Mossley area who said that she only had hours to leave Newtownabbey.
Following this she was moved to emergency accommodation and then a hostel in Belfast, however she has said that she refuses to stay in it due to widespread drug use in the facility.
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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 accomodation 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 have said that they are investigating reports that masked men confronted the woman in Newtownabbey.
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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