House targeted by gunshots now gutted in arson attack

A west Belfast house targeted by gunshots and men wielding sledgehammers in the past few weeks has been gutted in an apparent arson attack.

It belongs to George Richmond, who told us yesterday (Wednesday) his family has been victim to a campaign of intimidation by dissident republicans.

His house in the Dermott Hill Parade area was attacked in the early hours of New Year's Day, and just last night it was set alight in an apparent arson attack.

Neighbours had to be evacuated from the next door property but no one was seriously injured.

Detectives believe the shooting may be linked with an attack on another residence in the Dermott Hill Parade area on Monday evening.

Detective Sergeant McPhillips said: “We received a report of a fire at this property just after 2am. Our colleagues from the NIFRS attended the scene and extinguished the fire which we believe may have started in the downstairs area.

“The ground floor of the house was completely gutted in the blaze although fortunately no-one was in the property at the time of the incident. The house next door was filled with smoke and a number of people who were inside at the time were brought to safety.

“We are treating this fire as arson and believe it may be linked to criminal damage at the same address on 1 January, in which a number of windows were smashed. We are also investigating a possible link to a shooting incident at residential premises in the Upper Springfield road area, which was reported to police on Tuesday.

“Everyone has a right to live in a safe and stable community and this type of senseless and reckless criminality will not be tolerated. Those living in the local area who have any information should bring it to police immediately so that we can bring the perpetrators to justice.

“I would appeal to anyone who has any information about these incidents or saw any suspicious activity in the Dermott Hill Parade area in the early hours of this morning, to get in touch with detectives on 101, quoting reference number 97 of 3/1/19."