NI arson victim will not quit policing board

The member of the District Policing Partnership Board in Strabane, Co Tyrone, whose car was destroyed in an arson attack yesterday…

The member of the District Policing Partnership Board in Strabane, Co Tyrone, whose car was destroyed in an arson attack yesterday said he had no intention of being forced to resign from the board.

Mr Arthur McGarrigle's Nissan Primera was set on fire in the car-park of Our Lady of Mercy High School in the Barrack Street area of Strabane just before 1 p.m. yesterday.

Mr McGarrigle, who is head of English in the school, said the arsonists smashed the rear windscreen of his car and poured petrol inside it before setting the vehicle on fire.

"This is another example of the intimidation of a member of the town's District Policing Partnership and it also follows police advice to members of the partnership to constantly review their personal safety," he said.

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"As a result of this attack, my car has been destroyed, the school has been evacuated and the 500 students in the school have been intimidated out of the classroom and denied their right to education.

"I want to tell those behind this attack that I will not be resigning - you can be sure of that. However, I have a wife and four children and, before I make a final decision, I will be consulting with them.

"I moved back home to Strabane 30 years ago and the reason I joined the partnership was because I wanted to give something to a town which is a great place to live in and and a great place to rear a family.

"A proper policing service will make Strabane an even better place to live in and those responsible for this attack on me, and for attacks and threats against other partnership members, will have to eventually realise that," Mr McGarrigle said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the town's policing partnership board, Mr Tom McBride, who was also recently threatened by republican dissidents, said the attack on Mr McGarrigle's car dismayed and angered him.

"Obviously there is an orchestrated campaign going on where members are being singled out and where attempts are being made to undermine their resolve and determination to make the partnerships work.

"I am also really angered by the fact that this attack took place inside school grounds. It's a new low in terms of intimidation and those responsible are trying to tell the community that the District Policing Partnerships should fold.

"I know that some of my colleagues have been under tremendous pressure recently but I feel confident that the members in Strabane will be able to hold the line, but I am just speaking for myself, I have no right to speak for or make decisions for other individuals," he said.